HC Deb 27 April 1938 vol 335 cc112-3
3 and 4. Mr. Ede

asked the Prime Minister (1) what is His Majesty's Government's estimate of the numbers of men of other than Spanish nationality who have served in or with the armed forces of the Spanish Government and the insurgents, respectively, and what proportion they bear in each case to the total force;

(2) what is His Majesty's Government's estimate of the number of men enrolled in the armed forces of Governments outside Spain who have served in or with the armed forces of the Spanish Government and the insurgents, respectively; and what proportion they bear ins each case to the total force?

Mr. Butler

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to similar questions put to me by the hon. Member on 13th April.

Mr. Ede

In view of what the hon. Gentleman said yesterday, is it expected that visitors will now be sent to Spain to ascertain the particulars asked for?

Mr. Butler

It is hoped that ultimately it will be possible to send a Commission.

Mr. Ede

Will that be a Commission of the Non-Intervention Committee or some other commission?

Mr. Butler

I said in my previous answer to the hon. Gentlemen that under the present scheme of the Non-Intervention Committee these international committees are to be sent.

Mr. Thurtle

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that the Government have formed no estimate as to the number of foreign troops in the armies of the insurgents, or is it that they are not prepared to give the information?

Mr. Butler

These schemes were designed for the purpose of obtaining accurate information. Without that accurate information, the Government cannot give the particulars asked for.