HC Deb 19 April 1939 vol 346 cc341-3
7. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British steamship "Stangate," which was captured by General Franco's forces over six weeks ago, near Valencia, while carrying no cargo and with a non-intervention observer on board, is still detained at Palma, the master of the ship having been prevented for nearly five weeks from communicating with his owners and from purchasing food for his crew; whether representations have been made to General Franco as to the illegality of these proceedings; and with what result?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, and His Majesty's Ambassador has made representations to the Spanish Government. I cannot, however, agree that the master has been prevented from communicating with his owners or from purchasing food for the crew. On arrival at Palma the master was requested personally by His Majesty's Consul to communicate with him in any difficulty. The master has written on three occasions, and on each occasion the request has been attended to. He has been visited on three occasions by a member of the Consulate and on four occasions by officers of His Majesty's ships. Private letters and telegrams have been sent and telegrams received. The officers and crew of this vessel are fed by contractors, at the expense of the naval authorities at Palma, and the provisions have been supplemented by purchases at cost price from His Majesty's ships. At the master's request, His Majesty's Consul further arranged for a telegram to be sent to the owners of this vessel requesting that he be authorised to advance a sum of £30 for the purchase of further pro- visions. I am informed that the master's only complaint is to the effect that the contractors have not supplied butter and sugar; neither of these commodities is available in Palma, but they have been supplied by His Majesty's ships.

Miss Rathbone

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain how was it that a full week ago a message was picked up by the "Stanbrook" which ran something like this: Implore you through the British Board of Trade to ask His Majesty's Ship 'Sussex' to be allowed to sell food to my crew. That message was received by the master of the "Stanbrook" a week ago.

Mr. Shinwell

Is there any reason why this ship should now be detained when no illegal act has been committed; and will the right hon. Gentleman make immediate representations to the Franco Government that the ship should be released?

Mr. Butler

In reply to the last question, we are continuing to press for the release of the vessel. In reply to the hon. Lady I have given her all the information in my possession which refers to the "Stangate."

Mr. Shinwell

Will the Government continue to press for the release of this ship; and for how long have they been making representations, and why is there such delay?

Mr. Butler

There has been a delay of several weeks. I informed the House of the facts of the capture of the vessel in territorial waters before the House rose. That is why we are keeping in close touch with the matter.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Has the Minister anything to say about the illegal detention of British subjects in this way, and does he remember that similar conduct resulted in the death of Captain Roberts only a few weeks ago?

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of what the Under-Secretary says about the ship being captured in territorial waters, are we to understand that the Government recognise the legitimacy of the capture, or do they consider it to be illegal?

Mr. Butler

The Spanish Government stated their view that the ship was captured in territorial waters. They pro- hibited the entry of ships into certain portions of their territorial waters, and it was in those territorial waters that the ship was captured. The point of view of the Government was made perfectly clear on 20th March in this House, and I have nothing to add.

Mr. Attlee

Do the Government accept that veto on the entry of ships into territorial waters; what is the nature of the reply which has been received from the Spanish Government; and what are the reasons for the delay in releasing this captain?

Mr. Butler

I realise that delay is very undesirable, and that is why we have pressed for the release of the vessel.

Mr. Mander

What is the British Fleet doing?

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Who is the owner of this ship?

Mr. Butler

I think Messrs. Billmeir.