SPAIN.

HC Deb 14 February 1938 vol 331 cc1502-10

6. Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can obtain from His Majesty's agent with General Franco any information as to executions at Bilbao?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

I am informed that a number of executions have taken place at Bilbao since the insurgent occupation of that town, but it is naturally impossible to obtain exact figures. His Majesty's Government have strongly represented to the contending parties in Spain the desirability of refraining from further executions in order to avoid prejudicing the prospects of negotiations for a general exchange of prisoners and other detained persons which, as the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, are at present in progress. At the same time the British Agent at Salamanca recently received an assurance that the Basque prisoners who are at present the object of negotiations between the contending parties were in no danger.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Has the right hon. Gentleman received similar information from the other side?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. We are in constant touch with both sides in order that the exchange may be carried through, and in the meantime we are asking that there should be no further executions while the details are being carried out.

Colonel Wedgwood

Is it not a fact that there is no longer any truth as to the shooting of prisoners on the Government side?

Mr. Eden

My object is to ensure that there shall be no shooting on either side.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

May I ask whether before these executions took place those who were executed had a fair trial?

10. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Salamanca authorities dispose of any funds or property in this country which could be distrained upon in the event of just claims for damage to British ships and British lives not being admitted and met?

Mr. Eden

I cannot give any reliable figures with regard to the extent of the funds or property of which the Salamanca authorities dispose in this country.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Can we have an assurance that the Government are not attempting to dissuade any persons who have been injured by General Franco's actions from pursuing him in the courts of this country?

Mr. Eden

No action of the kind has been contemplated.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Are His Majesty's Government prepared to distrain upon these funds in the event of these just claims not being met?

Mr. Eden

As regards our position, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement I made last week on this subject.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Are not the Government giving compensation in the case of members of His Majesty's forces who have lost their lives as the result of certain actions?

Mr. Eden

I understand that is so.

12. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the progress of the negotiations for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Spain; what is the point reached in these negotiations; what is the next step to be taken; and what is the reason for delay about a matter to which the parties concerned have in principle agreed?

13. Sir Archibald Sinclair

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made towards the evacuation of foreign combatants from Spain?

38. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet decided as to the meaning to be placed upon the term "substantial progress" in connection with the withdrawal of non-Spanish nationals from the conflict in Spain?

Mr. Eden

As I have already explained in a reply to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 1st February, a draft resolution, to be passed eventually by the Non-intervention Committee, has, I understand, been prepared and submitted to the participating Governments by their delegates on the Committee. The resolution will answer the points raised in the replies from the two parties in Spain to the Non-intervention Committee's resolution of 4th November last. The resolution is also to contain a re-affirmation of the undertakings entered into by the participating Governments; and detailed information regarding the work of the Commissions. Further, it will deal with methods to be employed for restoring and strengthening the control of land and sea frontiers and the conditions of the grant of belligerent rights to both sides in Spain. I understand that agreement has been reached on almost all points of this draft resolution, but, as I have frequently informed the House, the proceedings of the Nonintervention Committee are confidential and I am not in a position to make statements regarding remaining points still under discussion by that body.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it the case that this step was agreed to in principle last September, and that not one foreign national has been withdrawn from Spain in consequence of that step being taken?

Mr. Eden

The plan was agreed to, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware of the many points which have to be settled in connection with it.

Mr. Thurtle

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the meaning which is to be placed upon the term "substantial progress" is one of the matters still under discussion by the Committee?

Mr. Eden

I think the hon. Gentleman can assume it is one of the points of difficulty.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Does the right hon. Gentleman feel that all the progress that could have been made during the four months has been made?

Mr. Eden

I only wish that we had gone a little faster.

15. Mr. Vyvyan Adams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response has been made by the insurgent authorities to the communication of the British commercial agent at Salamanca following the series of outrages committed by sea and by air upon British shipping proceeding on its lawful occasions and promising destruction to any submerged submarines and reprisals in retaliation for any air attack?

Mr. Eden

I understand that the British agent at Salamanca has received a written reply from the insurgent authorities. The text of this reply has not yet reached me.

Mr. Adams

Is it not now clear beyond question that a rebel victory would militate against British interests?

16. Sir Arnold Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the approximate total amount of claims presented or noted for presentation on behalf of British subjects or companies and His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom against the Governments of Barcelona and Salamanca, respectively?

Mr. Eden

The number of claims actually presented against the Governments of Barcelona and Salamanca is relatively small but owing to the fact that in certain cases claims have been submitted to the competent authorities by His Majesty's representatives in Spain or direct by the claimants themselves without informing me of the particulars, I am not able to give even an approximate estimate of the amounts involved. As regards those claims noted for presentation in due course it is even more difficult to give an estimate of the total amounts involved. The number of claims so noted is very considerable, but in many cases no indication of the sums claimed has been given owing to the fact that the losses are still accumulating, or that it has not been possible yet to assess the extent of the damage.

Mr. Shinwell

Have the claims presented to the Barcelona Government been met, and does that also apply to the Salamanca Government?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir, the claims have not been met. In general, the claims, as the hon. Gentleman will see from the answer, have not been presented, for a variety of reasons.

17. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a full report of the sinking of the "Alcira" on 4th February has now been received?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. A full report has now been received including a statement from the master of the steamship "Alcira." From this report the following information is derived. Shortly after 6.30 a.m. on 4th February when the "Alcira" was 20 miles south-east of Barcelona, two aircraft were sighted steering towards the ship. The aircraft were seaplanes, two-seaters, painted grey. They were both of the same type and their rudders had a black St. Andrew's cross painted on them. The ship was at that time flying the new red ensign and red, white and blue stripes, each 2½ feet wide, were painted on the top and sides of the bridge. The aircraft circled the ship three times and then fired a machine-gun, using tracer ammunition, ahead of the ship. The aircraft, flying low, then signalled by light to the ship, the only word visible being "boat." As soon as this signal was made, the Captain stopped engines and gave the order for the crew to go to the boats. There was no time for more than one boat to be lowered and before this boat was lowered, three bombs were dropped by the aircraft and struck the ship. Two further bombs struck the ship after the boat had got away, and the ship sank shortly afterwards.

Mr. Henderson

Is there any evidence of the nationality of the aircraft?

Mr. Eden

Not beyond that which I have given in my answer, which, I think, shows that they were attached to the Insurgent forces.

21. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement with reference to the recent interview given by Sir Henry Chilton, Ambassador to Spain, in which he describes the Government to which he is accredited as "the Reds"?

Mr. Eden

Since the hon. Member questioned me on this point on 9th February, I have made further inquiries of Sir Henry Chilton. The Ambassador has assured me quite categorically that he did not use the expression referred to during the interview in question. I am glad to have an opportunity to make this clear.

23 and 24. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, under the plans being prepared by the Non-intervention Committee for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain, the foreign troops who leave Spain will take away with them the arms and munitions which they took in;

(2) whether, under the plans being prepared by the Non-intervention Committee for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain, provision will be made for the withdrawal of all foreigners now serving in the naval forces of the two contending parties before any grant of belligerent rights is made?

Mr. Eden

As I have frequently informed the House, the proceedings of the Non-intervention Committee are confidential. I am not, therefore, at liberty to make a statement in regard to matters which are under discussion by that body. In connection, however, with the grant of belligerent rights, the hon. Member will remember that the United Kingdom proposals which are the basis of the scheme under discussion by the committee, provide that such rights will be granted after a substantial withdrawal of foreign volunteers, not the total withdrawal of any particulars section of volunteers.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May we take it that the term "substantial withdrawal" means the withdrawal of the naval officers and men who are at present serving in General Franco's fleet before belligerent rights are granted?

Mr. Eden

I do not think I can possibly argue the definition of "substantial withdrawal" here, but the House may rest assured that we naturally desire an interpretation which we regard as satisfactory.

26. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a ship, convoyed by a number of Italian destroyers, landed a large quantity of war material at Cadiz on 31st January; and what action he proposes to take in view of this fresh violation of the Non-intervention Agreement?

Mr. Eden

I have no information which in any way confirms the statement made by the hon. Member, but I am making inquiries.

Mr. Strauss

Is the Foreign Secretary not able to get information which is published in all the authoritative Press of the world?

Mr. Eden

It has been my not infrequent experience that some of these rumours have not been justified.

Mr. Strauss

When a very serious statement of this sort is published and generally accepted—[HON. MEMBERS:"No!"]—when it has been accepted by large sections of the people in this and other countries, is it not the duty of the Government to make immediate inquiries to see whether it is true or not?

Mr. Eden

If the hon. Gentleman looks at my answer he will see that I have said that I am making inquiries.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not true that although the right hon. Gentleman always disclaims any information on that point, it has subsequently transpired that it has been verified?

Mr. Eden

I do not accept the right hon. Gentleman's form of memory.

Captain McEwen

Would the hon. Gentleman give a definition of what he means by "the authoritative press of the world"?

30. Sir A. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many prisoners of non-Spanish nationality are held at present by each party in Spain; particularly, how many Italians and Germans are held by the Barcelona Government and French and Russians by General Franco; and whether he has communicated these figures to the Nonintervention Committee?

34. Sir H. Croft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the approximate number of prisoners from the international brigade fighting on the side of the Popular Front Government during the Spanish civil war taken by General Franco; and which countries have provided the largest number of combatants in this form of intervention?

Mr. Eden

Apart from their general efforts to secure the exchange of prisoners in the Spanish conflict, His Majesty's Government have no concern with any prisoners of non-Spanish nationality, except British prisoners. I am, therefore, unable to give the particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friends.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not a fact that a very large number of French and Russian prisoners are held by the national forces?

Mr. Eden

There are prisoners of various nationalities held by both sides, but I have not any figures.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Are there any British prisoners held by Franco?

Sir H. Croft

Is it not essential, in view of the question of non-intervention and the question of withdrawal of volunteers, that the facts should be obtained, and is the right hon. Gentleman going to do so?

Mr. Eden

My hon. Friend is setting me a hard task to classify all the prisoners on both sides by their nationalities. I am afraid I have no information which would enable me to do so.

Sir H. Croft

Will it not be essential for the Non-intervention Committee to obtain that information?

Mr. Eden

I think it is essential to get them out of the way, whether they are prisoners or combatants.

Sir A. Sinclair

Is it not very unfortunate that the right hon. Gentleman should be harassed by this stream of supplementary questions?

35 and 36. Sir H. Croft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) the approximate number of foreign bombers and fighting aeroplanes in the service of the Popular Front government in Spain; what percentage this represents of the total number of aeroplanes available to that government; and what is the proportion of these aeroplanes provided by Russia and France, respectively?

(2) whether, in view of representations on the subject of air-bombing in Spain, he can state the number of air-raids by both sides during the war upon undefended towns and villages remote from the firing line and not coming within the category of those embracing naval bases, docks, harbours, aerodromes, munition centres, or military garrisons?

Mr. Eden

I have not sufficient information to enable me to answer with accuracy these questions.

Sir H. Croft

In view of the importance of this subject, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive any informa- tion which has been gained by Members of this House on either side in Spain such as the facts as to the number of bombers actually brought down?

Mr. Eden

I shall be, of course, glad to receive any information.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the discussion about the two sides in Spain, would it not be advisable to remove the "crazy gang" from this side of the House to the other side?

37. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now take the responsibility of presenting to the Non-intervention Committee the communication from the Spanish Government declaring that submarines and other warships now operating in the Mediterranean on behalf of the Spanish insurgents formerly belonged to Italy?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir. In respect of submarines no further action is called for beyond that already taken by His Majesty's Government and announced to this House. In respect of other warships the Spanish Government has not asked His Majesty's Government to present the communication, to which the hon. Member refers, to the Non-intervention Committee.

Mr. Thurtle

Has the fact that these submarines originally belonged to Italy already been brought to the notice of the Non-intervention Committee?

Mr. Eden

I have said that the Spanish Government have not said so in their communication made to the Non-intervention Committee.

Mr. Thurtle

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this matter of sufficient gravity and importance to be brought to the notice of the Non-intervention Committee?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir; I do not think the submarine question is, particularly in view of the steps taken last week.