3. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in January of this year a delegation consisting of Mr. Jacob Epstein, Miss Rose Macaulay, Mr. Henry Moore, Mr. Paul Robeson, and Mr. Stephen Spender obtained permission of the minister of public instruction in Barcelona to visit Spain to study the cultural life of the Republican territories; and, as visas were refused to these authors and artists by the Foreign Office on the ground that the object of their visit did not fall within the approved categories, what is the nature of the categories referred to?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)Yes, Sir. At the time when these applications were refused, endorsements were granted only to persons proceeding to Spain for business, journalist or humanitarian purposes.
Miss RathboneWill the hon. Member say why it is more important for people to visit Spain for business purposes, and in view of the fact that many ministers of religion have been allowed to make visits, why are these distinguished artists and authors excluded?
§ Mr. ButlerEndorsements are now being issued to persons outside the categories mentioned.
§ 11. Mr. Kennedyasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of dockers and stevedores at Brown's Wharf, London, to load goods sent from Manchester, intended for the manufacture of high explosives, for shipment to a Spanish port; and, in view of the Government's policy of non-intervention, what steps he proposes to take to prevent this traffic in war material to be used against the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. ButlerI have heard reports of an incident of this nature. The goods in question consisted, however, of cotton yarn, the export of which to Spain is not 818 prohibited under the Non-intervention Agreement. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 12. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the officially controlled Italian Press recently published reports from Italian war correspondents in Spain referring to the bombing activities of Italian planes and to the participation of troops of the twenty-third division and the Littorio division of the Italian Army in recent fighting; and whether, as such reports constitute confirmation of Italian aggression in Spain, His Majesty's Government propose to take any action?
§ Mr. ButlerI have seen reports to this effect. It is, of course, common knowledge that the combatants in Spain on both sides have received help in men and materials from foreign sources, and it is this situation with which the Non-intervention Committee is doing its best to deal.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not clear by now that the Spanish insurgents have received aid not only from foreign sources but from foreign governments, to wit, the German and Italian Governments, in breach of the principles of the League of Nations?
§ Mr. ButlerIn my original answer I said that it was common knowledge that the combatants in Spain on both sides have received assistance.
§ 13. Mr. Leachasked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to secure fuller information as to the intervention of German and Italian troops, military technicians, and advisers on behalf of the insurgents in Spain?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government will continue as in the past to make every effort to obtain as full reports as possible on these and all other matters which may affect British interests.
§ Mr. LeachIf the hon. Gentleman is making efforts to get information, when does he expect to be successful in those efforts?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsWill my hon. Friend also obtain full information as to the extent of intervention by the French, the Russians and all sorts of other people?
§ Mr. ButlerIn answer to the first supplementary, His Majesty's Government are obtaining information the whole time, but they cannot get reliable confirmation of every detail.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the hon. Gentleman put the information he has received before hon. Members at the earliest opportunity?
§ 14. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider approaching the Governments of France and Spain with a view to obtaining the latter Government's consent to a joint Anglo-French occupation of Port Mahon and the island of Minorca?
§ 52. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether the occupation of Minorca has been considered by His Majesty's Government or has been the subject of any contacts with the French Government or the Spanish Government; and, if not, will he consider such action, with a view to providing a refuge for fugitives from Barcelona and Madrid?
§ Mr. ButlerAs the Prime Minister has already stated in reply to a question by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 2nd March, no such negotiations have taken place, nor do I consider that it would be advisable to take such a step.
§ Mr. CocksIs the hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the threat to French and British communications due to the presence of Italian forces in Minorca, some such action is being considered by the French Government, and are the British Government having any conversations with the French Government on the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIn view of the extremely grave position of non-combatants in Barcelona, may I ask whether we could not occupy Minorca so as to provide there a refuge for non-combatants from the Spanish Government side? May I have an answer?
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Colonel WedgwoodOn a point of Order. Am I not entitled to ask one supplementary on question 52?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe supplementary goes far beyond the question on the Paper.
§ Colonel WedgwoodBut not, I submit, beyond question 52. May I read it to you?
and if not will he consider such action, with a view to providing a refuge for fugitives from Barcelona and Madrid?
§ Mr. ButlerI have answered that question in the answer which I have given, in which I said that we do not consider such a step to be advisable.
§ Colonel WedgwoodWill the Under-Secretary ask the French Government whether it is desirable or not?
§ 15. Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister when the Non-intervention Committee last met; what is preventing further progress being made in its deliberations; and when its next meeting will be held?
§ 22. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Prime Minister the date of the last meeting of the Non-intervention Committee; and when the next meeting is to be held?
§ Mr. ButlerThe last plenary meeting of the Non-intervention Committee took place on 4th November last. Since then the Chairman's Sub-Committee have held several further meetings to consider the Committee's plan for the withdrawal from Spain of foreign volunteers, the recognition in certain circumstances that the Spanish parties possess a status justifying them in exercising belligerent rights at sea, and the restoration and strengthening of the scheme for the observation of the Spanish frontiers by land and sea. The hon. Members will recall from the reply which the Prime Minister gave on 28th February to a question by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) that informal negotiations in regard to the points on which it has not yet been possible to reach agreement have since been proceeding between the Chairman of the Committee and the representatives of other Powers on the Committee. Meanwhile the date of the next meeting has not been fixed.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it not a month since the Prime Minister informed us that the Italian Government had accepted the British formula for the withdrawal of troops from Spain, and if that acceptance meant anything at all why has not the Non-intervention Committee met to carry it out?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Italian Government is not the only one concerned. Its acceptance was conditional on the plan being agreed to by all the Governments concerned.
§ Miss WilkinsonIn view of the refusal by General Franco of the British request to cease the bombing of civilians, will His Majesty's Government instruct its representative on the Non-intervention Committee to allow to the Republican Government anti-aircraft guns with which to protect their women and children against bombing?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is going beyond the question on the Paper.
§ Miss WilkinsonOn a point of Order. My question was one of the two questions to which the Under-Secretary replied. It referred to the Non-intervention Committee, and I am asking whether His Majesty's Government will instruct its representative on the Non-intervention Committee. Am I not in order?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady's question asked the date of the last meeting of the Committee and when the next was to be held.
§ Miss WilkinsonSurely when one puts down a question like that one is entitled to ask His Majesty's Government what they propose to do on the Non-intervention Committee? The meeting of the Committee is not being held for fun.
§ Mr. SpeakerNot if the supplementary goes beyond the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsHas the information now being collected by the Government been submitted to the Non-intervention Committee?
§ Mr. CocksIs the Minister aware that five months ago the British representative on that Committee said that unless agreement were reached in a very short time the British Government would consider resuming complete liberty of action, and has not that time arrived?
18. Mr. Davidsonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government's representatives have been instructed to leave Barcelona as a result of the recent air raids?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. As a result of earlier aid raids, the staffs of His 822 Majesty's Embassy and Consulate-General were instructed to find quarters outside Barcelona where they would not be exposed to danger. This was done, and while offices are maintained in the city and visited regularly by the staffs in the execution of their duties, they have been instructed not to expose themselves to any unnecessary risks.
Mr. DavidsonHad His Majesty's Government any previous information with regard to the intensification of the air raids on Barcelona, and, if so, was such information passed on to His Majesty's representative there?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the Under-Secretary state the reasons why His Majesty's Ambassador has never been in residence at his post at the seat of the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. ButlerThat raises rather a wider question.
19. Mr. Davidsonasked the Prime Minister whether representations have been made recently to the insurgent authorities of Spain with regard to the safety of British nationals in Barcelona?
§ Mr. ButlerThe necessary action to safeguard British nationals in Spain has been taken throughout the Spanish conflict. At the same time, ample warnings have been issued to British subjects that they remain in Spain purely at their own risk.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Under-Secretary or the Prime Minister prepared to lay before the House the measures that have been taken for the protection of British nationals there?
§ Mr. ButlerI think the House can have full confidence in the steps His Majesty's Government have taken.
§ 21. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any report of the employment by the Spanish insurgents of aircraft of the Messer-Schmidt 109 type; if so, whether he can state the date when aeroplanes of this type were first reported as operating in Spain; and whether, if he has no information, he will cause immediate inquiries to be made?
23. Duchess of Athollasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there has recently arrived in Spain two groups each of four squadrons of bombing aeroplanes of the Heinkel III. type, two groups of four squadrons each of pursuit aeroplanes composed of machines marked Messer-Schmidt 109, two squadrons of Heinkel 51, one group of reconnaissance aeroplanes composed of two squadrons of D.O. 17 consisting of 22 machines, and a patrol of Heinkel 45, also three batteries of anti-aircraft heavy guns, 8.8, and two batteries of light ones, 3.7, each battery including also two anti-aerial machine guns of 20 mm.; that these formations all belong to the German Army, the names of the commanders of the various groups being known; and whether, as a result of this grave breach of the Non-intervention Agreement, he is prepared to reconsider that policy?
§ Mr. ButlerI have seen reports of this nature, but I have no definite confirmation of them. With regard to the last part of the Noble Lady's question, the Government's attitude in regard to the policy of non-intervention was made quite clear in the course of last week's Debate, and I have nothing to add to what was said on that occasion.
Duchess of AthollIs it not the case that His Majesty's Government have received from the French Government a formidable list of aeroplanes of these types which have been employed in insurgent quarters; and may I also ask my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister how the civilian population of Barcelona and other towns can be protected from the air raids which he views, naturally, with such horror, if the Spanish Government are not allowed to buy chaser planes?
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Mr. ThurtleMay not hon. Members legitimately press for an answer to the specific supplementary questions put to the Minister by the Noble Lady?
§ Mr. SpeakerLike a good many other supplementary questions, it goes far beyond the limits of the question on the Paper.
49. Duchess of Athollasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that some 30,000 German air officers, tank drivers 824 and technicians of all kinds landed at Vigo, Corunna and Ferrol about 14th March; and, in view of these facts, is he now prepared to reconsider the nonintervention policy of the Government?
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware that such, reports have been circulated, but my present information shows that they are false. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
Duchess of AthollEven if the number stated is exaggerated, will the Prime Minister consider that technicians are more valuable to the insurgent forces than infantry, and will he, therefore, make further inquiries?
50. Duchess of Athollasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recently Germans have replaced the Spaniards who were formerly guarding the Franco-Spanish frontier at the north-west end of the Pyrenees; and whether, in view of the alarm this is causing on the French side of the frontier, he is in consultation with the French Government as to what steps should be taken to meet this situation?
§ The Prime MinisterI have received no reports to confirm this information. In any case, it is obvious that this is not a matter for an initiative by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsCan the Prime Minister say who is the author of this dud information that is supplied to hon. Members?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs the Prime Minister aware that the evidence is overwhelming, including statements in the Italian Press that there have been great reinforcements sent to General Franco since the Teruel engagement?
§ 51. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent bombing of non-combatants in Barcelona, he will now approach the Vatican directly instead of leaving it to the French Government, with a view to getting this sort of action banned by the Pope; and whether he will inquire if any correspondence has already passed between the Vatican and General Franco on this subject?
§ The Prime MinisterThe British Agent at Burgos has been instructed to inform the Spanish Nationalist authorities that the 825 recent intensification of aerial bombardment of Barcelona, resulting in heavy loss of life among the civilian population, has been viewed with horror by His Majesty's Government and by the people of this country. In these circumstances, His Majesty's Government desire to draw the urgent attention of General Franco's administration to the fact that direct and deliberate attacks on civilian populations are contrary to the principles of international law as based on the established practices of civilised nations, to the laws of humanity and to the dictates of public opinion. Similar representations have been made by the French Government, and His Majesty's Government are inviting the Vatican to do likewise.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsHow are we to reconcile that statement with the fact that the Prime Minister has appointed a supporter of General Franco recently as a member of his own Government?
53. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of casualties caused by the bombardment of the civilian population of Barcelona and the resultant shortage of medical and nursing personnel, medical supplies, and anaesthetics, His Majesty's Government will make a grant for these purposes under such safeguards for the exclusive expenditure of the money on these purposes as they may think necessary?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the House is aware, His Majesty's Government have already made a contribution to the International Red Cross Society for the provision of medical and other forms of relief in Spain, and they are at present considering the desirability of a further contribution.
Miss RathboneDo the Government not feel a special responsibility for the sufferings of the population of Barcelona, seeing that they are the direct results of the Government's own refusal to allow—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Mr. Noel-Baker(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a further statement concerning the bombing of Barcelona and whether he has received any information concerning the 826 nationality of the aircraft by which this bombing has been carried out?
§ The Prime MinisterHis Majesty's Minister at Barcelona has reported that the city suffered six further bombardments on the night of 17th March, and four during the course of the following day. No British subjects are known to have been killed, though it is understood that two have been injured. Mr. Leche has indicated that bombs fell all over the town and appeared to have been dropped at random, and that the attacking aircraft flew at a height of about 16,000 feet. The official figure for casualties so far as they can be ascertained is 1,000, including about 400 dead. I have no information to give to the House concerning the nationality of the aircraft concerned, but an inquiry on this subject has been addressed to His Majesty's Minister.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the right hon. Gentleman also confirm the news that other towns on the South and East coasts of Spain are being very heavily bombed?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not heard that.
§ Mr. MaxtonCan the Prime Minister say whether the British representative is actually in Barcelona?
§ The Prime MinisterIt was stated by my hon. Friend in the course of questions to-day that the staff of the British Embassy had been directed to find accommodation outside Barcelona but that they had offices in the city, which were continually visited.