HC Deb 23 June 1938 vol 337 cc1268-71
Mr. Sandys

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can give particulars regarding the bombing and sinking of British merchant vessels off Valencia yesterday and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action?

The Prime Minister

At 8.50 p.m. on 21st June the British steamship "Thorpeness," which was lying three-quarters of a mile from the breakwater light off Valencia, was struck from the air by a projectile and sank in seven minutes. I regret to say that one member of the crew, a British subject from Hong Kong, is believed to be missing, but otherwise there are no casualties. At 3 a.m. on 22nd June, an attack was made on the British steamship "Sunion," which was also lying in Valencia roads. It is understood that a warning bomb was dropped and that the crew were in the boats when the ship was hit. There' were no casualties and the vessel sank at 9 a.m. His Majesty's Government are asking the Burgos authorities for an early explanation of these attacks.

Mr. Sandys

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the failure of Great Britain to offer any resistance to these unlawful acts of violence is an encouragement to law-breakers, not only in Spain but all over the world?

The Prime Minister

The policy and position of His Majesty's Government have been fully explained.

Mr. Attlee

Is it not clear that these outrages are the direct result of the right hon. Gentleman's speech, which was tantamount to an invitation to bomb British ships?

The Prime Minister

These are not the first attacks of the kind that have been made.

Mr. Lloyd George

I should like to ask the Prime Minister whether the protest is to be sent to those to whom these bombing engines belong, or whether he is going to confine his protest to the Franco Government, whereas these engines which are destroying our ships belong to the Italian and German Governments?

The Prime Minister

I do not know what authority the right hon. Gentleman has for stating that these machines belong to the German or Italian Governments. They are, as I understand, part of the forces of General Franco.

Mr. Lloyd George

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has not got abundant evidence—and if he has not got it we can supply it to him—that some of these machines belong to the Italian Government? He must know it. I am going to ask him now whether he is not going to send a protest about these pilots to the Governments who supply these machines and supply these pilots, or whether he is going to confine it merely to the Franco Government?

The Prime Minister

These machines must be considered in exactly the same category as other arms and equipment supplied from foreign countries to either side in Spain.

Captain Sir William Brass

Would it not be possible to have these ships that go into these ports in Spain armed with our latest anti-aircraft pompoms, so as to be able to fight when these attacks take place?

The Prime Minister

It is a matter for the owners of the ships.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

In view of the doubt in the Prime Minister's mind as to the origin of these machines, and in view of the fact that two of the captains of the ships, one of whom was bombed deliberately, according to the Government's statement—Captain Jones—are here, will the right hon. Gentleman receive these two captains, who are here now, and for a few minutes hear what they have to say?

The Prime Minister

The right lion. Gentleman spoke of the origin of these machines, but that is not the question which was put to me, which was as to the ownership of the machines, which is an entirely different matter.

Mr. Benn

These captains, one of whom, Captain Jones, has war service, and Captain Llewellyn, are here, or will be in a few minutes, and can the Prime Minister spare five minutes to hear their story?

The Prime Minister

I see no reason why I should not hear them. If they wish to see me, I shall be very pleased to see them.

Mr. Attlee

I beg to state that at the end of Questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the attacks made yesterday upon British ships and their crews, and the refusal of His Majesty's Government either to afford adequate protection or to take measures to prevent their recurrence.