SPAIN. (Hansard, 9 February 1938)

§ 2. Mr. G. Strauss
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of Italian soldiers landed in Spain during the last six months; and whether a large contingent is now being shipped to that country?

§ Mr. Eden
I have seen rumours to the effect that further Italian soldiers have landed in Spain, but I have no definite information that substantiates this. As regards the second part of the question, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 7th February, my attention has been called to rumours which have lately appeared in the Press, but I have received no evidence which in any way confirms them.

§ Mr. Strauss
Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the number of Italian soldiers landed in Spain during the last six weeks?

§ Mr. Eden
I have no definite information.

§ Mr. T. Williams
Would the Nonintervention Committee have been able to detect the movement of large numbers of troops if, in fact, there had been any?

§ Mr. Eden
I would rather not answer that. There is the question of difficulties of control at present, but I am confident that there have been no large movement of troops recently.

§ Mr. Williams
From whom could we expect to get the right information, assuming that that information was there?

§ Mr. Eden
As the hon. Member will know, we have various sources of information, some of which I could disclose, and some of which I could not.

§ Colonel Wedgwood
With regard to the question of whether a large contingent is now being shipped, has the right hon. Gentleman any reports from our representatives in Italy that such importations are taking place?

§ Mr. Eden
The right hon. and gallant Gentleman can be sure that I would not have made such a statement as I have made, could I not be confident of its accuracy.

§ Mr. Thorne
Is there any information to the contrary, that Mussolini is fed-up and is sending no troops at all?

§ 3. Mr. Cocks
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the present position of the Non-intervention Committee; what progress has been made in the discussions relating to the withdrawal of foreign combatants from Spain; what points have been agreed upon by the Governments represented on the committee and upon what points agreement has not yet been reached; and what is the attitude of the Government of Spain and of the insurgent authorities, respectively, upon the various points which have been submitted to them by the committee?

§ Mr. Eden
As regards the present position of the Non-intervention Committee and the discussions concerning the withdrawal of foreign volunteers, I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave on 1st February to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East (Mr. Mander).

§ Mr. Cocks
Seeing that the resolution has, as I understand, 135 paragraphs, would the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing it as a White Paper, indicating the points on which agreement has been reached and also the replies of the Spanish authorities?

§ Mr. Eden
I am afraid I cannot publish details of a matter which is still under discussion by a large number of Powers.

§ Mr. Thurtle
Is it the view of the Government that there must be a substantial withdrawal of foreign troops before any belligerent rights are granted?

§ Mr. Eden
The attitude of the Government was indicated in the terms of the White Paper on the subject.

§ 10. Mr. Mander
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position of Sir Henry Chilton as British Ambassador to Spain; and what action he proposes to take with regard to the Ambassador's reference in a recently published interview to the Government to which he is credited as "the Reds"?

§ Mr. Eden
Sir H. Chilton retains the appointment of British Ambassador to Spain, but is at present on leave of absence in this country. I am unaware of the incident referred to in the second part of the question.

§ Mr. Mander
If I send the right hon. Gentleman an account of an interview in which the Ambassador refers to the Government to which he is accredited as "the Reds," will he take the necessary action and ask the Ambassador to have more courtesy in future?

§ Mr. Eden
I am naturally ready to examine anything brought to me by any hon. Member of this House, but I think I must make it plain that I have seen Sir Henry Chilton and that he has no recollection whatsoever of any statement of that kind.

§ Sir Joseph Nall
Can any action be taken if the statement is in accord with the facts?