HC Deb 07 February 1938 vol 331 cc648-50
6. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a final claim has been submitted to the Spanish insurgent authorities in respect of the mining of His Majesty's Ship "Hunter"; if so, what is the total amount claimed; and whether any reply has been received regarding the settlement of this claim?

10. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any satisfaction has been received from General Franco's administration in connection with His Majesty's Government's demand for £134,500 compensation for damage done to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter" by a floating mine; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take to enforce payment?

Mr. Eden

A reply has been received from the Salamanca authorities denying that the mine responsible for the damage was laid by their vessels. His Majesty's Government are not able to accept this contention, and further representations are accordingly being made without delay. As the House is aware, the Salamanca authorities have already been informed that it is anticipated that the total claim will amount approximately to £134,500. It will not be possible to give a final figure until the repairs to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter" have been completed.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not clear to the Minister from the subsequent bombings and sinkings which have occurred that the Salamanca Government do not intend to pay any attention to representations?

Mr. Eden

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would await my statement.

Mr. Alexander

Have we had any settlement of any claims yet made?

Mr. Eden

The normal practice in these matters is to file the claims while the settlement normally awaits the conclusion of hostilities; but in certain cases—and His Majesty's Government hold themselves free to decide these cases—we consider ourselves free to press the claim as soon as possible.

Mr. Kirk wood

Have the Government never had a similar experience to deal with to what we now have in Spain?

Mr. Bellenger

In view of that last significant statement of the right hon. Gentleman, do His Majesty's Government hold that this is one of the cases in which they ought to press for a settlement immediately?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member can put what interpretation he likes on my words.

Mr. Gallacher

If the Government do not get satisfaction from the Salamanca Government, will they put in the bill?

25. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the first meeting of the Non-intervention Committee took place; and how many meetings have been held since that date of the full Non-intervention Committee and the Chairman's Sub-Committee?

Mr. Eden

The first meeting of the Non-intervention Committee took place on 9th September, 1936, since which date 27 further meetings have been held. There have been 82 meetings of the Chairman's Sub-Committee.

Mr. Cocks

Seeing that the German and Italian Governments have pledged themselves not to send arms and men to Spain, is it necessary to have all these meetings to see whether they have kept their word?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member will remember that one of the objects of these meetings was to prevent the spread of the conflict beyond the borders of Spain.

Mr. Cocks

Are these really meetings or social gatherings?

27. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what report he has received that the head of the Italian Government is preparing to send large armed forces to Spain in the near future?

Mr. Eden

My attention has been called to rumours to this effect which have lately appeared in the Press, but I have received no evidence which in any way confirms them.

28. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the note recently received by His Majesty's Government from the Spanish Government alleged that the Italian Government had supplied the Spanish insurgent forces with a number of war vessels, he will assure the House that it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government that the despatch of large armed forces by Italy to Spain would be regarded as an act of aggression in breach of the League Covenant and contrary to British interests?

Mr. Eden

I would remind the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government cannot themselves decide what would be an act of aggression in breach of the League Covenant. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government would regard the despatch of large armed forces by any country to Spain as a breach of the Non-intervention Agreement, to which His Majesty's Government are a party, and as creating a situation of which they would be bound to take a most serious view.

Miss Wilkinson

Does that include the despatch of large quantities of war material to Spain, as Italian war material is more useful to Franco than the somewhat doubtful Italian infantry?