HC Deb 05 October 1938 vol 339 cc322-4
8. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement has now been reached between the Committee of British Shipowners Trading to Spain and the National Union of Seamen regarding compensation to be claimed from General Franco for the loss by air attacks on men and ships engaged in Spanish trade; whether a claim has now been put forward; and of what amount?

Mr. Butler

I am not aware of any agreement between the Committee of British Shipowners Trading to Spain and the National Union of Seamen of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. His Majesty's Government have reserved the right to claim for compensation in all cases where this has appeared justifiable. Discussions with the Burgos authorities on this subject are still proceeding.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

May I ask whether, among those claims, there are any claims from ships or crews which suffered injury in Spanish territorial waters where, they were told, they proceeded at their own risk?

Mr. Butler

The distinction has been borne in mind between cases regarded as deliberate and those regarded as not deliberate.

Mr. Mander

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any claim has been as yet put in?

Mr. Butler

I said in my answer that we have reserved the right to claim compensation and we are discussing the position with the Burgos authorities.

Mr. Shinwell

Has any compensation been paid to the men who suffered?

Mr. Butler

That is, I think, a matter for the National Maritime Board.

Mr. Wilfrid Roberts

Did not the Prime Minister make a statement in July that the Franco authorities had accepted the arrangement proposed by the British Government?

Mr. Butler

It is on that matter that discussion is proceeding.

9. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether the commission for the investigation of air bombardments in Spain asked for permission to examine the Nationalist intelligence reports; the orders issued to the pilots of the various raids; and the pilots' reports on the raids?

Mr. Butler

So far as I am aware, the Commission did not ask for permission to examine the reports and other documents mentioned by the hon. Member.

23. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to despatch the League Commission to supervise the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from the Spanish Government; and what steps are being taken to induce General Franco to agree to a similar withdrawal of the foreign troops in his service?

Mr. Butler

The Committee appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to constitute, despatch and so far as necessary direct the working of the Commission held its first meeting on 1st October, and I understand that a decision as to the date when the Commission will be despatched to Spain will be taken shortly after consultation with the Spanish Government. As regards the second part of the question, Mr. Hemming, the Secretary of the Non-Intervention Committee, will shortly proceed to Burgos to explain any points of detail and clear up any misconceptions which may have arisen in connection with the Committee's plan and to investigate the exact intentions of the authorities regarding its execution.

Mr. Roberts

In view of the facts that the Spanish Government now agree to the withdrawal of volunteers serving on their side and that the French frontier still remains closed, can the hon. Gentleman suggest any reason why General Franco should ever agree to the withdrawal of volunteers serving with him?

Mr. Butler

I canot answer for General Franco.

25. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister whether he has information as to the quantities of arms and men that have been sent from Italy and Germany into Spain during the past two months; and when it is proposed that the Non-Intervention Committee shall meet to consider General Franco's refusal to accept its plan for the implementing of nonintervention?

Mr. Butler

Our information indicates that certain material arrived in the territory under General Franco's control from Italy during this period, and that any additional German aid reaching Spain was of small dimensions. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot accept the interpretation placed by the hon. Member upon General Franco's reply. As I have explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts), Mr. Hemming, the Secretary to the Non-Intervention Committee, is shortly to pay a visit to Burgos and, until his report has been received, it is not possible to say when the Committee will meet.

Miss Rathbone

Was it not six weeks ago that General Franco's reply was received, and is not such a long delay before an answer is sent likely to give the impression that the Non-Intervention Committee are not so very keen about the plans as they were?

Mr. Jagger

Is it possible to say how long Mr. Hemming is likely to be in Spain?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir, not at present. He will have to do the work which has been assigned to him, but we cannot say how long it will take.