§ 7 and 8. Mr. Dobbieasked the Prime Minister (1) The number of British nationals, members of the International Brigade, who are held as prisoners by General Franco in Spain; how many of them have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment; whether any representation has been made to General Franco for the release of these prisoners; and, if so, will the British Government assume the responsibility of the return of the men to Great Britain if released;
(2) Whether he can give the House any information in regard to Mr. Ryan, a member of the International Brigade, who has been sentenced to a long term of imprisonment in Spain; and whether he will make representations to General Franco for the release of this and other prisoners, inasmuch as the war is now over in Spain?
§ Mr. ButlerOn the case of Mr. Ryan, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lambeth North (Mr. G. Strauss) on 21st June. All other British subjects formerly members of the International Brigade have been repatriated with the exception of three who are understood to be held on civil charges. His Majesty's Ambassador continues to press for their release, when they would be repatriated in the normal way.
§ Mr. DobbieAre we to understand that the Government are either unwilling or unable to do anything in mitigation of 8 this very savage sentence which has been imposed on Mr. Ryan?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. The hon. Member must be aware that I have said that His Majesty's Ambassador in Spain has offered his help to the Eire Minister in securing the release of Mr. Ryan.
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the Under-Secretary say exactly what was the offence for which Mr. Ryan was convicted?
§ 22. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether he can say how many Italian and German troops have left Spain and how many remain?
§ Mr. ButlerWhile I cannot give exact figures, my Noble Friend is satisfied that the great majority of Italian and German troops have now been withdrawn from Spain.
§ Mr. StraussIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the minority is also going to be withdrawn, and does this minority consist of highly responsible officers who, if they remained in Spain, would be very important?
§ Mr. ButlerWe believe that very few are left in Spain, and we believe that they will be withdrawn.
§ 24. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister whether a claim has now been presented to the Spanish Government in connection with the damage to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter"; what is the total amount of the claim; and whether any reply has been received from the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. ButlerThis claim has now been assessed at £127,054 7s. 5d. and, as I informed the hon. Member on 7th June, it will be presented to the Spanish Government in accordance with the usual procedure.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to elaborate his last remark somewhat? Does he realise that the repairs to this ship were completed in November last, and do the Government propose to prosecute this claim with insistence and determination?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir, certainly. That is the answer to the last part of the question. In reply to the first part., the usual procedure is that all claims, governmental or otherwise, are being collected, and will be handed to the Spanish Government.