§ 8. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the bombing of civilians in Barcelona and other Spanish towns, he will give notice to the governments concerned that this country proposes to allow the importation into Spain of anti-aircraft guns and ammunition unless this bombing stops by a certain definite date?
§ Mr. EdenThe right hon. Gentleman is aware of the desire of His Majesty's Government to further an agreement for the abolition of this type of bombing and of the initiative which they have taken in this matter. In respect of the export of arms from this country to Spain, His Majesty's Government are bound by the international undertakings assumed by them as a signatory of the Non-intervention Agreement. I am not at present prepared to propose any modification of this Agreement.
§ Colonel WedgwoodUnless this is stopped, will this means of defence be allowed to the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. EdenThe right hon. and gallant Member can be assured that these relevant considerations are in my mind.
§ Mr. ManderAre not Germany and Italy equally bound by the agreement?
Vice-Admiral TaylorWill the right hon. Gentleman define what is meant by the term "civilian population" seeing that every able-bodied man and woman in a country at war is taking some active part in the war?
§ Mr. EdenWe are all conscious of the difficulties of this problem, but that does not make us any the less anxious to solve it.
§ 9. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether representations to the Pope as to the desirability of a denunciation by him of the bombing of civilians in Spain by both sides have yet been made; and, if so, what effect has been produced?
22. Mr. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now sought the good offices of the Vatican in approaching the contending Governments in Spain with a view to their mutual renunciation of the bombardment of unfortified centres, and the consequent suffering and loss of life among non-combatants?
§ Mr. EdenHis Majesty's Government have not approached the Vatican direct, but they have informed the French Government that they are now prepared to associate themselves with such initiative as the French Government may decide to take in the matter, whether through the Vatican or through other channels.
§ Colonel WedgwoodCan the right hon. Gentleman say why we did not approach the Vatican direct seeing that we have an Ambassador there?
§ Mr. EdenThe French Government first approached us in a public statement made by the French Prime Minister, and, therefore, we replied that we associated ourselves with them.
§ 11. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the progress of the negotiations relative to a cessation of the practice of bombing civilian populations?
§ Mr. EdenThe hon. Member is presumably referring to- the desire of His 1513 Majesty's Government to secure general international agreement on this subject. In that respect I have nothing at present to add to my statement in the course of the Debate on 2nd February.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherHave the views of the Government been brought to the notice of General Franco through the British Agent at Salamanca?