§ 5. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the treatment accorded to the captain of the British ship "Stanbrook," by the port authorities in Oran and Marseilles?
§ Mr. ButlerNo complaints have been received of the treatment accorded to the captain of the steamship "Stanbrook" by the port authorities in Oran. I am not aware that this vessel called at Marseilles during the course of this particular voyage.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it not a fact that this ship left a Spanish port with 2,500 refugees on board, whom the captain was unable to prevent going into the ship, and that they were kept on the ship for a long time, being refused the right to land at the French ports in question?
§ Mr. ButlerI think that substantially represents the position.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Government take up with the French authorities the great hardship caused to the captain, the crew and the refugees?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have taken the matter up with the French Government and a large number of those on board were allowed to land.
§ Mr. W. RobertsAre not a large number still on the ship, not being allowed to land and living under the most desperate conditions; and will not the British Government make some contribution either to their maintenance or to their final emigration to countries which will take them?
§ Mr. ButlerI am fully aware of the gravity of the situation. The Government have been in close touch with the French authorities and the international commission, whose representative is there at the present time.
§ Sir T. MooreIs not the owner of this ship a trader in human lives for his own gain?