HC Deb 16 November 1938 vol 341 cc844-8
7. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister what was the nationality of the aeroplanes which recently attacked the British ships "Margaret Rose" and "Yorkbrook," in Almeria harbour?

Mr. Butler

The reports received do not indicate the identity of the aircraft in question.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the hon. Member say that the British Government cannot ascertain the nationality of these aeroplanes responsible for these outrages against British ships?

Mr. Butler

I said that the report already received did not indicate the identity of the aircraft.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the hon. Member make an effort to ascertain the identity of the aeroplanes?

Mr. Butler

I cannot guarantee to obtain that information.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

May I ask what reports the Government have called for in this matter?

Mr. Butler

We receive reports of this nature from our representatives abroad.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Have the Government called for any special report on this subject?

Mr. Butler

The hon. and gallant Member must understand that we naturally receive reports from our representatives on matters of this kind.

Sir Percy Harris

Is it a fact that the Government do not want to be properly informed, so that they will not be able to answer questions?

Mr. Shinwell

Will the hon. Member consult the officers of British ships that have been bombed in Spain, and who are now present in this country?

Mr. Butler

As the hon. Member knows, we hare received information from ships' officers, and we are always ready to receive any information that may be put before us.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Can the Under-Secretary say in whose constituency Almeria is situated?

10. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister on what public statement or statements by Signor Mussolini His Majesty's Government founded their view that, from the time of the first conversations between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government, Signor Mussolini had made it known that he was not prepared to see General Franco defeated in the present war in Spain; what were the terms of such statements, and on what dates were they made?

Mr. Butler

The first conversations regarding the entry into force of the Anglo-Italian Agreement took place in June, and I am sure that the hon. Member will not have forgotten Signor Mussolini's speech at Genoa on 14th May.

13. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government will give a guarantee to the French Government of their Franco-Spanish frontier?

Mr. Butler

No request for such a guarantee has been received from the French Government, and I have, therefore, no statement to make.

Mr. Cocks

Is it not the policy of His Majesty's Government to make the Franco-Spanish frontier a Franco-Franco frontier?

Mr. Mander

Are British guarantees of frontiers any good to anybody?

14. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of General Franco's failure to carry out his pledge to pay compensation to British skippers and seamen, as announced to the House by the Prime Minister on 26th July, and the renewed bombing of British ships, he will now again recall the British representative from Burgos?

Mr. Butler

As I informed the House on 14th November, discussions regarding the proposed commission of inquiry have been held with the interests concerned and the Government are now approaching General Franco's administration with detailed proposals on the subject.

Mr. Roberts

I understand that discussions are continuing about the damage done in the past. Are discussions taking place about ships which are being bombed daily at present?

Mr. Butler

These discussions range over the whole question of deliberate attack. We are proposing certain machinery in the form of a commission to look into these attacks and to consider questions such as what compensation should be paid. Therefore, all such attacks regarded as deliberate may be treated as coming within the discussions of the tribunal which we hope will be established.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is it proper to demand compensation from a Government you do not recognise?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Have His Majesty's Government made any protest either in Burgos, Rome or Berlin against the air blockade now being carried out, which is more intense than the air blockade of last June?

Mr. Butler

I should require notice of that question.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Does the hon. Member not know whether a protest has been made or not?

Mr. Butler

The hon. Member knows that protests have been made.

15. Mr. Benn

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any pledge from the Italian Government that further supplies of arms and men to General Franco shall cease as soon as the Anglo-Italian Agreement is in force?

Mr. Butler

The assurances given by the Italian Government were described by the Prime Minister during the course of the Debate on 2nd November. These take effect from the date on which the Anglo-Italian Agreement comes into force.

Miss Rathbone

Are these assurances likely to be worth any more than the Italian signature to the Non-Intervention Pact in the last week of August, 1936?

19. Mr. Crowder

asked the Prime Minister what is the position regarding the Republican Spanish warship "José Luis Diez," which took refuge in Gibraltar on 27th August last, and has been undergoing repairs there; and whether similar facilities will be afforded to any Spanish Nationalist warship entering British ports?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Government originally informed the Spanish Government that they would permit a period of three weeks as from 18th October in which the vessel should effect the minimum of repairs necessary to allow her to put to sea, these repairs to be of such a kind as not to add in any way to the vessel's fighting force. The Spanish Government were also informed that His Majesty's Government were unable to offer the destroyer any of the facilities of the naval dockyard at Gibraltar for the execution of the repairs. As delay occurred and as the damage proved to be more extensive than had originally appeared, His Majesty's Government finally decided that the original period should be extended to eight weeks, starting from 11th November, this period to cover the time necessary for collecting the material required, the actual execution of the repairs and the departure of the vessel from Gibraltar. In accordance with the attitude which His Majesty's Government have adopted in the Spanish conflict, they would be prepared to give similar treatment to any warship belonging to General Franco which sought refuge in a British port in similar circumstances.