§ 8. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister what is the result of the Foreign Office inquiry in Spain into the allegations that consular officers carried documents 919 containing military information across the Spanish frontier; whether the trial by General Franco's court has yet come to a decision; and what is the present position of the officials concerned?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Board of Inquiry set up by the Foreign Office has not yet submitted its report. At the conclusion of the investigation by the examining magistrate at San Sebastian which will probably be completed very shortly, the persons concerned will either be set at liberty or placed on trial. Their interests are in the hands of a competent lawyer, with whom they are in touch.
§ 13. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Prime Minister the various places in Spanish territory controlled by General Franco where British consuls are carrying out their functions?
§ Mr. ButlerAs the answer contains a list of towns, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir T. MooreIn the meantime can the Minister say whether the reports received from these consular officers show that British interests are being given every consideration?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. and gallant Member may be satisfied that British consular officers always look after British interests.
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Consuls appointed before General Franco's forces acquired control of the places where they reside continue to carry out their functions at Seville, Barcelona, Palma, Las Palmas, and Teneriffe; and vice-consuls at Corunna, Jerez de la Frontera, Huelva, Gijon, La Linea, Orotava and Fernando Po. There are also acting vice-consuls at Algeciras, Cadiz and San Feliu de Guixols. Assistant agents, who perform similar duties, have been appointed at Bilbao, Malaga, San Sebastian and Vigo since General Franco's forces occupied these towns.
§ 14. Sir T. Mooreasked the Prime Minister the length of time spent in the 920 Madrid area by the Commission on the Repatriation of Foreign Volunteers?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that members of the League Commission spent two or three weeks in the Madrid-Valencia area of Government Spain.
§ 15. Sir T. Mooreasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to whether German and Italian volunteers in the International Brigade in Spain who are hostile to the existing Governments of their own countries are being forcibly repatriated?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that under the withdrawal plan drawn up by the Spanish Government at the request of the League of Nations provision is made for political exiles either to return to the country where they were domiciled at the time when they left for Spain, or, if they were likely to be the object of political or other persecution in the event of their returning to such countries, to be sent to some other country where they could be sure of being safe from persecution.
Miss RathboneSeeing that the International Commission has recognised the honourable way in which the Spanish Government have carried out the demobilisation of volunteers, is it not the duty of the Non-Intervention Committee to see that these men are sent to places of safety, as it may not be within the power of the Spanish Government to do so at present?
§ Mr. ButlerI think we had better leave this matter to the League Commission which has been considering it, and which is doing its best.
§ 16. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, any discussions are yet contemplated between His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government as to what constitutes termination of the. Spanish civil war?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement do not provide for any discussions such as those referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of the statements which have recently been published in the Italian Press, that the Italian Government do not propose to withdraw their 921 troops from Spain until after a political victory as well as a military victory, are we to understand that under the provisions of the Anglo-Italian Agreement the Italian Government are not obliged to withdraw their troops as soon as hostilities have ceased?
§ The Prime MinisterStatements in the Press do not necessarily represent the view of the Government of any country.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it the view of His Majesty's Government that the Italian Government have undertaken to withdraw their troops from Spain as soon as hostilities have ceased?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
Mr. MenderIs it not the case that the Press in Italy is entirely controlled by the Italian Government?
§ 17. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether the Italian Government have at any time given reasons to His Majesty's Government why they have not withdrawn the Italian troops from Spain in accordance with the plan which they accepted on 5th July, 1938?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Italian Government have always made it clear that they would carry out the Non-Intervention Committee's plan if and when it came into operation. The fact that the plan has not come into operation provides the reason why the Italian Government have not carried out its provisions.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAre we to understand that His Majesty's Government accept the view that Signor Mussolini cannot withdraw his troops from Spain in accordance with his undertaking without the consent of General Franco?
§ Mr. ButlerThe answer is that until the plan comes into operation its provisions cannot be put into force.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAre we to understand that the drawing up of this plan, to which so much labour was devoted last summer, was nothing but a blind to cover the proceedings under the Anglo-Italian Agreement?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government have consistently endeavoured to bring the plan into operation, but its execution must depend on the consent of both parties in Spain.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it not the consent of General Franco alone which is lacking that is preventing the plan from being brought into operation?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDo I understand from the last answer that the Government seriously maintain that Signor Mussolini cannot withdraw his troops without General Franco's consent?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is a different question.
§ Mr. CocksAre we to understand that the Non-Intervention Agreement is not to be put into operation until the need for intervention has ceased?
§ 18. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether it is now the intention of His Majesty's Government to summon a meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee and to propose to the Committee that the plan for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain should forthwith be carried out?
§ Mr. ButlerAs has frequently been explained, General Franco has not accepted the Non-Intervention Committee's plan, and it is not, therefore, possible for the Committee to put it into operation. In the present circumstances it is not considered that a meeting of the Committee for the purpose referred to by the hon. Member would serve any useful purpose.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of the fact that great burdens are being thrown on France and other countries as a result of foreign aggression in Spain, is it not desirable to have a full international discussion as to whether this plan, which was unanimously accepted last July, cannot now be put into force?
§ Mr. ButlerI have answered that question in a previous reply.
Mr. AlexanderIs it not time that the Government asked the heads of the German and Italian Governments whether they are preventing General Franco from operating the plan?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsMay I ask how many of the International Brigade General Franco has evacuated over the border into France?
20. Sir N. Stewart Sandemanasked the Prime Minister whether the Spanish ship 923 "José Luis Diez," at present taking refuge in Gibraltar, is to be allowed to leave; and what is the present position of her crew?
§ Mr. ButlerSince this ship was disabled in an engagement with General Franco's forces outside Gibraltar on 30th December, she has remained immobilised at Gibraltar. The crew were repatriated to the Spanish Government's territory by way of Almeria.
Sir N. Stewart SandemanWhat is the exact position of this ship? Can it sail out, or is it confined at Gibraltar?
§ Mr. ButlerI think I can best describe the position by saying that she is immobilised at Gibraltar.