§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a full statement on the reply of the Spanish insurgents regarding the bombing of British ships, indicating the results of the consultations which have taken place with Sir Robert Hodgson, the nature of any decisions the Government may have reached, and the reply to be made to the denial that British ships have been deliberately attacked.
§ The Prime MinisterI regret that I am not yet in a position to make a full statement, since the consultations on this subject are not yet complete. His Majesty's Government have found it necessary to ask the Burgos authorities to explain the 597 exact meaning which they attach to their disclaimer of their intention to make deliberate attacks on British ships. His Majesty's Government have frequently expressed their view that the deliberate bombing and sinking of merchant ships has never been admitted by international law, still less the machine-gunning of their bridges and decks.
I might add that the Burgos authorities have intimated their intention to make practical proposals with the object of humanising warfare as far as possible, and I need hardly say that His Majesty's Government will give any such proposals their most sympathetic consideration.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already informed the House of the suggestion made by the Burgos authorities for the establishment under certain restrictive conditions of a safe port at Almeria. Preliminary examination of this suggestion has revealed certain difficulties such as the deficiencies in the facilities afforded by such a plan for the discharge of vessels, communications with the rest of Spain and other factors. The position at the moment is that the Government have under consideration the views of the British shipping interests on the subject.
The reply to the inquiry which we have addressed to Burgos must of necessity take several days, but I will keep the House informed of any further developments.
§ Mr. AttleeIs there not a danger, in the proposal for a special port which should be safe, of admitting, by that action, the right to bomb ships in other ports?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a consideration which must be kept in mind.
§ Mr. BellengerWhat is the position of Sir Robert Hodgson? Is it intended that he should remain here until suitable replies are received from the Burgos Government, or is it intended that he should return to his post at a very early date?
§ The Prime MinisterHe is remaining here for the present; certainly until we receive a reply from the Burgos authorities.
§ Mr. McEnteeWill the Prime Minister explain a little more fully what he means 598 by consultation with British shipping interests? Does that include the men in the shipping unions or merely the owners?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it means the shipowners.
§ Mr. McEnteeWill the right hon. Gentleman get into communication or consultation also with the people who go into the ships, the seamen, through their unions?
§ The Prime MinisterIf they could give us any useful help in the matter, I should certainly wish to consult them.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect that a written inquiry of the Burgos Government will be able to elucidate matters which Sir Robert Hodgson was not able to elucidate by personal discussions which he had with the Burgos Government before he was recalled in order to give this information to the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterSir Robert Hodgson brought a written reply from the Burgos authorities, but there was a passage in it which was not clear to us, and we, therefore, addressed further inquiries to the authorities.
Miss RathboneIs there any reason to change the opinion formerly formed by His Majesty's Government that in a considerable proportion of cases, the bombing of British ships was deliberate?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherAre the Spanish Government being consulted concerning the proposal to establish what is called a safe port, at Almeria?
§ The Prime MinisterI think we have not got to that stage yet.
§ Mr. Herbert MorrisonMay we take it that the Prime Minister and the Government will not be committed to acceptance of the principle of this so-called special port, without knowing the views of the Spanish Government and without giving an opportunity for consideration of the matter by this House?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not sure that that is necessary. Certainly there will be no hurried or hasty action.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the right hon. Gentleman make it clear from the beginning that this Government will accept 599 no arrangement which will involve, by implication, an admission of the legitimacy of blockade by aircraft?
§ The Prime MinisterI have already said that we do not admit that.