§ 8. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any information as to the bombing of the Spanish Government fleet at Cartagena by an Italian air squadron?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend's attention has been drawn to a report which has appeared in the Press, but he has received no confirmation of it.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherHave any reports been received from the naval authorities in Spanish waters on this subject?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherWill the hon. Gentleman call for such reports?
§ Mr. ButlerAs we have no reason to believe that such attack took place, I do not think that it will be worth while calling for a report.
§ 14. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have asked the French Government to close the French frontier for the passage of recruits into Spanish Morocco territory?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Miss WilkinsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of French Moroccan subjects have been taken captive recently in the fighting in North Aragon, and does he not think 893 that if the French frontiers are to be closed, it would be well to close those which are helping General Franco?
§ Miss WilkinsonOn a point of Order. May I have an answer to my supplementary question in view of the fact that the Minister was perfectly willing to answer?
Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady received an answer. She asked whether His Majesty's Government had asked the French Government to close the French frontier for the passage of recruits into Spanish Morocco territory, and he said "No." Is not that an answer?
§ Miss WilkinsonI was bringing to the notice of the Minister some information of which, apparently, he was unhappily unaware.
§ 17. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether the Government have made any appeal or informal representation to the Spanish Government to refrain from bombing the Italian air base at Majorca?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Mr. CocksAm I to understand that the Government have not expressed any views to the Spanish Government regarding the advisability of ceasing the bombing of the Majorca air base?
§ Mr. ButlerNot on that subject.
§ Miss WilkinsonIs the Minister's attitude due to the fact that Signor Mussolini now claims Majorca as Italian territory?
§ Mr. ButlerIt is well known that Majorca is Spanish territory.
§ 18. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Prime Minister the approximate date upon which withdrawal of foreign combatants from Spain may be expected actually to take effect, provided that the arrangements approved by the Non-Intervention Committee are put in operation forthwith?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Member will find details of the proposed time-table for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers in the text of the Non-Intervention Committee's Plan which is being published to-day. The date from which that time-table will operate depends principally on the time taken by the two Spanish parties to consider the plan now in their hands.