§ 2. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Prime Minister whether he has any report to make upon the representations recently made by Sir Robert Hodgson to the Burgos government with regard to the bombing of British ships?
§ 12. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement concerning the report which Sir R. Hodgson has made to His Majesty's Government on the bombing of British ships?
§ 14. Mr. Caryasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House in regard to assurances received by His Majesty's Government respecting the cessation of the bombing of British ships trading in Spanish waters?
15. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Prime Minister what reply has been brought by Sir Robert Hodgson from the Burgos authorities to the protest against the deliberate outrages upon British shipping by insurgent aircraft?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)Sir Robert Hodgson arrived in London on Thursday afternoon and has since then been engaged in consultation with my Noble Friend and his advisers. These consultations are still in 3 progress and the House will not expect me to do more at the moment than give a summary of the reply which Sir Robert Hodgson has brought with him from the Burgos authorities.
The reply maintains that ports are legitimate military objectives, but strongly disclaims any intention to single out British ships as objectives for attack. The reply goes on to make certain proposals for according immunity from attack to a port to be agreed upon, and the suggestion is made that this port might be Almeria. The Burgos authorities ask for suitable guarantees concerning the nature of the merchandise to be admitted through that port. They conclude by emphasising their readiness to put forward proposals which may be helpful in establishing new laws of war for the future. I would only add that the shipping interests concerned have been informed of the proposals contained in this note, and His Majesty's Government will naturally take their views into account.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in considering this matter, the serious anxiety felt by citizens of this country regarding the continual bombing of British ships?
§ Sir J. SimonI think that as the Prime Minister is not able to be here to-day it would be better if I did not deal with supplementary questions. If there are questions arising from the statement which I have made they had better be put down.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that these protests were sent on account of the machine-gunning of seamen and the bombing at close quarters of British ships, and do I understand that Sir Robert Hodgson has replied that they were not deliberate? As the right hon. Gentleman does not reply, may I ask what the position is, because questions were put on the Paper addressed to the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister, we understand, cannot be here, and can we have some understanding as to when the matter can be inquired into?
Mr. V. AdamsMay I press my right hon. Friend to say whether His Majesty's Government accept the denial of the Burgos authorities about the deliberate character of these attacks?
§ Sir J. SimonI do not think that I can in the circumstances do more than give the House the information I have given. That does not debar further questions being put on a subsequent occasion.
§ Mr. AttleeDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the Prime Minister will be able to make a fuller statement tomorrow if I put down a private notice question?
§ Sir J. SimonThe Prime Minister will, I am sure, be ready to answer questions on this subject as soon as he is in a position to do so.
§ Mr. LeachIf that port is selected, is there any guarantee that it will not be bombarded by the Germans?
§ 9. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information regarding the attack on the steamship "Stanwold" by an armed insurgent trawler in the Straits of Gibraltar; and whether he will take steps to see that British ships shall pass through the Straits without molestation?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)My Noble Friend has seen an account in the Press of the incident in question, and a full report is now being obtained. As regards the second part of the question, measures are already in force to provide for the safe passage of British merchants ships through the Straits of Gibraltar.
§ 10. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the bombing of British ships in Spanish ports is carried on by Italian aircraft, supplied by the Italian Government to General Franco and based on Majorca, His Maejsty's Government will represent to the Italian Government the desirability of their immediately withdrawing such aircraft from Spain in the interests of good relations between the two countries?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government must hold the Burgos authorities responsible for any action taken by aircraft stationed on the Island of Majorca. They are not, therefore, prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. HendersonWill it now be possible for the Italian Government to withdraw these aeroplanes if they so desire?
§ Mr. ButlerI have said on previous occasions that we must hold the Burgos 5 authorities responsible for the operations of these aircraft.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderDo I take it that the Government have made no representations in the last week through the British Ambassador at Rome to Count Ciano with regard to this bombing of ships?
§ Mr. ButlerThere is a further question on the Order Paper on that subject.
§ Mr. CocksIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these aircraft belong to the Royal Italian Air Force, and, therefore, must belong to the Italian Government; and will he make representations to the Italian Government?
§ Mr. ButlerWe must hold the Burgos authorities responsible for the operations of the aircraft.
§ Miss WilkinsonIf the Government must hold the Burgos authorities responsible, why do they receive information on matters of high policy from Count Ciano and not from the Burgos government?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have communications with both governments?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhy do the Government hold the Burgos authorities responsible when we know from the Italian Government-controlled Press that their orders are coming from Rome?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Gentleman has his sources of information and we have ours, and according to our sources of information the Burgos authorities must be held responsible for the operations of these aircraft.
§ 19. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister what representations have been made by the British Ambassador in Rome to the Italian Government with regard to the sinking of British ships in Spanish Government ports, and what reply has been received?
§ Mr. ButlerThis and other aspects of the Spanish problem have been discussed between His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome and the Italian Government, but I am not in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask why it was that the Prime Minister could not give me that information when I asked him?
§ Mr. ButlerI have given the right hon. Gentleman the latest and most up-to-date information on this point.
§ Mr. BennWhy was it that when this same question was put to the Prime Minister he asked for notice of it, whereas within two hours full information was given to the Press by the Foreign Office?
§ Mr. ButlerIt is a question of the hour and the date. I am answering the question at a later time than it was addressed to the Prime Minister.
§ Miss WilkinsonWhy did these conversations take place at all, in view of the fact that in answer to a previous question the Government have stated that they recognise the Burgos government as being the only authority in Nationalist Spain?