§ 46. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct the Committee of Imperial Defence to review the whole question of the defence of Gibraltar in the light of recent events in Spain and the Straits of Gibraltar which have affected the strategical position there?
§ Sir J. SimonThe Committee of Imperial Defence already has under review the whole question of the strategical position of Gibraltar and of its defence in the light of recent events in Spain and the Straits of Gibraltar. The question of issuing any further instructions to the Committee of Imperial Defence, therefore, does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it not the case that, apart from party feeling or prejudice about the two sides in Spain, there is widespread anxiety that Italy and Germany are establishing strategical positions in Spain which menace our interests and security, and would it not reassure public opinion here, and have a steadying effect abroad, if it were known that the Committee of Imperial Defence had been ordered to make an ad hoc study of the situation?
§ Sir J. SimonMy original answer was that the Committee of Imperial Defence had already been making the review.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman bring to the attention of the Committee of Imperial Defence the lecture recently given by General von Reichenau, a leading general staff officer, on this subject, which no doubt the right hon. Gentleman has read?
§ Mr. A. HendersonCan the House take it that the Committee of Imperial Defence is taking into consideration the allegations that German guns have been placed on the North African Frontier and opposite Gibraltar?
§ Sir J. SimonI think we may safely assume that the Committee of Imperial Defence not only acts without any partisan feeling, but takes into account all relevant considerations.