§ 17. Mr. Parkerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the whereabouts of the Spanish steamship "Rita Garcia"; on what terms this steamer was released from arrest; and how many of the present crew are British citizens?
Mr. StanleyAs regards the first part of the question, Lloyd's index reports that the "Rita Garcia" arrived at Hamburg on 30th January. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed by the Admiralty Marshal that on 28th January the owners, who were plaintiffs in an action for possession of the ship, withdrew their warrant for arrest and served on the Marshal an Instrument of Release. As no caveat against the release had been entered, the Instrument was thereupon executed, and the Collector of Customs at Grimsby was directed by the Admiralty Marshal that the vessel should be released from arrest. The vessel sailed on the same day. As regards the third part of the question, as the vessel is not a British vessel, the Board of Trade have no official information as to how many of the crew were British citizens.
§ Mr. ParkerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that 12 members of the British Union of Fascists were obtained by General Franco's agent in London to go down, seize the vessel, and sail out with her to Hamburg where they were replaced by a German crew?
Mr. StanleyI have seen reports to that effect in the Press, but, owing to the fact that this is a foreign vessel, I have no official information as to the nationalities of the crew.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut if the crew are signed on at a British port for a foreign vessel, do not they have to go through the usual channels of the Board of Trade?