HC Deb 15 May 1939 vol 347 cc969-73
19. Mr. Davidson

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Ambassador in Spain has been invited to attend at the victory march of Italian and Spanish troops in Madrid; and what reply has been returned?

Mr. Butler

The Spanish Government have invited His Majesty's Ambassador to attend the Madrid parade, together with the Service Attaché's. This invitation has been accepted.

Mr. Davidson

Did His Majesty's Goverment, in accepting the invitation, take into consideration the fact that many of these Italian troops were responsible for the death of British sailors?

Mr. Gallacher

Is there any truth in the statement that His Majesty's Government intend handing over Gibraltar as a triumphal gift?

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Are we to understand that His Majesty's Ambassador will attend this parade and will be saluting Italian troops who have been responsible for the death of British sailors?

Mr. Butler

I said quite clearly that His Majesty's Ambassador has been invited to this parade and has accepted the invitation.

Mr. George Griffiths

Does this not show on which side His Majesty's Government have been all the time?

Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman

Is it not a fact that the French Ambassador also has been asked to be present?

Mr. Thurtle

Does not His Majesty's Government think that decency would have been better observed by declining this invitation?

Mr. Butler

I understand that other accredited representatives of foreign Powers in Spain have also been invited, and that it is in accordance with international practice for foreign representatives to accept official invitations of this nature from the Governments to which they are accredited.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not the case that the Italian troops who will be participating in this victory march will be in Spain in violation of the terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

Mr. Butler

I cannot accept that. Italian troops, we have been informed by the Italian Government, will leave Spain at the conclusion of this parade.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher rose

—

Mr. Speaker

We cannot debate this question now.

Mr. Davidson

May I give notice that, owing to the very unsatisfactory reply, I will raise this question at the first available opportunity?

21. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position regarding the claim against the Spanish National Government for damage caused by their actions to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter"?

Mr. Butler

It is hoped shortly to reach an estimate of the final cost of the damage to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter." A claim for this damage and a claim for compensation in respect of those killed and injured will then be presented to the Spanish Government.

Mr. Bellenger

Am I to understand that no money claim has been lodged against the Spanish National forces in respect to this matter?

Mr. Butler

I think the hon. Member must understand the answer that I gave. It is hoped shortly to reach an estimate of the final cost of the damage, after which a claim for the damage and compensation in respect of those killed and injured will be submitted.

Mr. Bellenger

But is it not correct to say that the right hon. Gentleman stated in this House that an estimate of the cost had already been prepared and a claim lodged against the Spanish National authorities some time ago; and is it the intention of His Majesty's Government to prosecute this claim with energy and insistence?

Mr. Butler

Yes, certainly. In any previous statement that I made I said, no doubt, that notification of the claim had been made, which is the usual practice. An estimate of the final cost has not yet been arrived at, and when it is, a claim will be submitted.

28. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister on what date the civil war in Spain officially terminated; what numbers of Italian troops have left or entered Spain since that date; whether any communication has been made by His Majesty's Government to the Italian Government since that date relative to the withdrawal of Italian troops; whether His Majesty's Government regard the pledge of the Italian Government to withdraw Italian troops from Spain on the completion of the war as having been fulfilled; and whether the pledge extended to war material as well as to men?

Mr. Butler

At midnight on 1st April General Franco issued a communique stating that the war was over. Since that date His Majesty's Government have no information that any Italian troops have entered Spain. As the House has already been informed, withdrawals have been taking place but it is not possible to give exact figures. The occasion of the victory parade which is shortly to be held at Madrid has been stated by the Italian Government to be the date after which Italian men and war material will be withdrawn from Spain. No recent communication on this subject has been addressed to the Italian Government.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not the case that the terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement provided for the withdrawal of Italian troops upon the completion of hostilities in Spain, and not upon such an unspecified date as the victory march? Is it not clear, therefore, that the presence of Italian troops in Spain to-day is a violation of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, and that the presence of His Majesty's Ambassador at the victory march will be setting the seal of the approval of His Majesty's Government upon this violation?

Mr. Butler

I cannot accept so legalistic and unfriendly an interpretation.

Sir A. Sinclair

Surely it is not a matter of interpretation but a matter of plain English? Did not the Agreement say that at the moment the civil war was over the troops would be withdrawn forthwith?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend state whether the Great War, according to our Act of Parliament, finished in August, 1919?

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher rose

—

Mr. Speaker

This is about the sixth supplementary question which the hon. and gallant Member has asked on the same subject.

30. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister whether he will report on the use made by the British Red Cross of the £50,000 grant made to them from the Treasury for the assistance of Spanish refugees in France or elsewhere; how much of the money has been expended and on what purpose; and what plans have been made for future expenditure?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Government have confidence in the ability of the British Red Cross to use the funds at their disposal in the most appropriate manner. General Fitzgerald, medical expert to the British Red Cross, is leaving for Perpignan again on 16th May to investigate the question of medical supplies. I understand that about £24,000 has so far been spent, chiefly on clothing, which appeared to be the prime necessity.

Miss Rathbone

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still a grave shortage both of medical necessaries and personnel in the refugee camps in Spain, and that they are inadequate for the separation of different kinds of diseases; and will he provide the House with full information of how the Red Cross is meeting these needs and use his influence with the Red Cross to see that they are met?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Member will read my original reply, she will see that I said this medical expert was proceeding to Perpignan for the purpose of looking into the question of medical supplies.

52. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister what reports, and at what dates, have been presented by the commission sent to Spain to investigate the bombardment of civilian populations; whether the reports have been, or will be, presented to the League of Nations; and whether he will cause these to be embodied in a White Paper and made available to Members of the House?

Mr. Butler

I have been asked to reply. As the answer contains a tabular statement I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Ten reports were furnished on the following dates, in respect of bombardments of the following towns:

These reports were presented to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations by whom they have been published. As these documents are so readily available, my Noble Friend does not think that the preparation of a special White Paper would be justified.