HC Deb 01 February 1938 vol 331 cc38-40
Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information regarding the reported sinking of the British steamer "Endymion" by a Spanish insurgent submarine?

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Duff Cooper)

Yes, Sir. We have received a report to the effect that the British steamship "Endymion" was sunk by a torpedo yesterday morning in a position 16 miles south of Cape Tinoso. Ten persons, including one woman, were drowned, and four survivors are reported to have reached Cartagena. The reported position in which the vessel was sunk is approximately 20 miles from the nearest of the routes which have been recommended to shipping as a result of the Nyon arrangement, and she did not carry wireless. As soon as information reached the naval authorities, immediate steps were taken to despatch the destroyers which were then patrolling that area to the scene of the attack.

Mr. Attlee

Is any action going to be taken in regard to this attack on a British vessel on the high seas?

Mr. Cooper

The question is receiving the immediate attention of His Majesty's Government, and no doubt action will be taken and a statement made.

Mr. Attlee

Is it not usual to express regret at the loss of British lives?

Mr. Cooper

It is perhaps usual to express regret, and I am sorry I omitted it, but I think that that regret goes almost without being expressed.

Miss Wilkinson

Not from you.

Mr. David Grenfell

Is it not the duty of the right hon. Gentleman in his official position to call attention to the death of 10 British subjects while engaged on their legal duties, and does it not warrant a statement from him of condemnation of those who are guilty of the crime?

Mr. Cooper

Certainly, I think the whole House will agree with me in expressing our condemnation of this attack by a pirate.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Has there been any diminution in the British naval strength engaged in patrol work during the last eight weeks, and, if so, is the right hon. Gentleman now, in view of this further outrage, satisfied that the naval strength is sufficient for the protection of British ships?

Mr. Cooper

It was generally agreed between the Nyon Powers at the end of the year to reduce the amount of ships patrolling, but we are taking steps to increase the patrol at once.

Sir Arnold Wilson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who owns the ship, how long it has been on the British register, and in what circumstances wireless was not fitted in accordance with British law?

Mr. Cooper

The ship belongs to a firm which has been in business for many years. It was not, I think, previously trading in Spanish waters. It was on this occasion carrying a cargo of coal to Cartagena. There is no law which insists on British ships of this tonnage carrying wireless.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the Government take steps to see that proper compensation is paid to the dependants of the seamen who lost their lives, and will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that British seamen will be protected on the high seas when engaged in ordinary commercial pursuits?

Mr. Cooper

The payment of compensation does not affect my Department, but I have no doubt steps will be taken to see that they are properly compensated. With regard to the protection of British lives, I assure the hon. Member that every possible step is taken. It is quite impossible to have a destroyer everywhere at the same time. On this occasion a destroyer was only 38 miles away, and had the ship been provided with wireless and had it followed the course recommended, help might have been given.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand from that answer that the right hon. Gentleman is now placing the responsibility on the captain of the vessel concerned?

Mr. Cooper

No, Sir—solely on those who are guilty of this crime.

Mr. Gallacher

Are the Minister and his supporters trying to find excuses for Franco for the murder of British seamen?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a form of supplementary question that I can allow.

Mr. Thurtle

On a point of Order. In view of the grave issues involved in this question and the urgency of it, will you, Mr. Speaker, not permit a few more supplementary questions?

Mr. Speaker

I cannot permit a debate.

Mr. Gallacher

It needs debate.

Mr. Thurtle

With great respect, I suggest that this is an extraordinarily important matter and that we might spend a few more minutes on it.

Commander Marsden

In view of that, Mr. Speaker, may I ask one more supplementary question?

Mr. Alexander

I beg to give notice that, in view of the nature of the answers, we shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.