§ 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 MinisterAs I informed the right hon. Gentleman on 7th July, His Majesty's Government found it necessary to ask the Burgos authorities to explain the exact meaning which they attached to their disclaimer of any intention to make deliberate attacks on British ships. The reply which has now been received states that attacks on British ships in Spanish ports are not deliberate. In support of this statement the Burgos authorities claim that the bombardment of these ports is designed to prevent traffic in arms, munitions, explosives and war material of all kinds on the quayside or in factories and in lighters or vessels anchored in the port without discrimination as to their respective national flag, which it 1330 is impossible for aircraft to distinguish. The reply goes on to say that ships which are not engaged in contraband trade and which enter such dangerous zones voluntarily expose themselves to the consequences of their own temerity, and adds that the attacks in which they are involved are not directed against them but against the objectives represented by the enemy ports in which they lie.
This country has passed legislation prohibiting British ships from carrying arms into any port in Spain, and in any case His Majesty's Government have made it plain that they cannot accept as legitimate the bombing and sinking by aircraft of merchant ships. At the same time, ships trading with ports in the war zone must accept the risks which inevitably result from the existence of a state of war, and effective protection cannot be guaranteed to them unless this country is prepared to take an active part in the hostilities. I have said before, and I say now, that His Majesty's Government would not in our view be justified in recommending such a course, which might well result in the spread of the conflict far beyond its present limits. While any military action in such circumstances is thus precluded, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to acquiesce in the repetition of attacks of a certain character. Hitherto we have always made protests to the Burgos authorities where a vessel lying by itself has, as such, been the subject of a deliberate attack, usually by low-flying aircraft. An attack on an isolated vessel must of its nature be deliberate, particularly in those instances where the vessel has been reconnoitred previous to being bombed, and has been machine-gunned afterwards.
His Majesty's Government are still in communication with the Burgos authorities on this and other matters arising from the reply received from them, and I would prefer to await the result of these communications before making any further statement.
There remains the proposal put forward by the Burgos authorities of a safe port at Almeria. While appreciating that this suggestion was put forward with a view to finding some solution of the present problem, His Majesty's Government have found that the difficulties and disadvantages of the proposal are very great, and they have ascertained that the Spanish Government regard the proposal 1331 as unacceptable. It seems doubtful, therefore, whether it can be proceeded with.
I may add that Sir Robert Hodgson is for the present remaining in London.
§ Mr. AttleeAre His Majesty's Government going to make it plain to the insurgent authorities that they cannot accept their explanation, which seems to be an entire contradiction of the facts of these bombings which the Prime Minister has himself given to the House?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have said that it is not possible to reconcile the disclaimer of deliberate intention with the facts as known to us in certain particular cases. I think I would rather not make any further statement until the communications have proceeded a little bit further than they have now.
§ Mr. BellengerAs the Prime Minister has said that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to acquiesce in certain deliberate attacks on these merchant ships, may I ask how he proposes to prevent those attacks?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a subject of the communications.
§ Mr. Garro JonesHas any communication been received from the Burgos authorities that some of those attacks on British ships were carried out without their orders and outside their control?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
Miss RathboneAs the right hon. Gentleman said some time ago that unless we could get guarantees against these attacks our friendly relations with the Burgos authorities could not continue, may I ask how he is going to carry out that warning, in view of the failure of the Burgos authorities to give any satisfactory explanation or guarantees?
Vice-Admiral TaylorHave not both sides in the Spanish conflict just as much right to drop bombs in Spanish territorial waters as on Spanish soil itself?
§ Mr. GallacherIs not the reference to British ships sailing into Spanish ports having to suffer for their own temerity sheer impertinence on the part of Franco?