§ 6. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister whether replies have been received to the inquiries made relative to the British subjects being detained as prisoners in Spain; and will he give particulars?
§ Mr. ButlerThere are four prisoners whose cases are being dealt with by His Majesty's Ambassador. Sir M. Peterson is pressing for their release or for details of the charges against them.
§ Mr. BennIs it intended that these prisoners shall take part in the victory march, along with the British Ambassador?
§ Mr. G. StraussHas the right hon. Gentleman any information about Frank Ryan, who is now in hospital there?
§ Mr. ButlerThere is this other prisoner, Frank Ryan, who is a citizen of Eire and whose case is being looked after by the Eire Minister in Spain. He is reported to be detained on a civil charge.
§ 17. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the attendance of His Majesty's Ambassador at the victory parade in Madrid, he has made, or will make, representations to the Spanish Government respecting the treatment of prisoners arrested in connection with the recent war; and whether he will make the attendance contingent on an assurance that these prisoners will be released?
§ Mr. ButlerAs the House is aware, His Majesty's Government have urged a policy of clemency upon the Spanish Government, but the answer to the hon. Member's suggestion must be in the negative.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman not feel that as the Madrid Government are so desirous of the presence of our Ambassador at this parade they would be susceptible to our representations on this matter; and could he not at least ask our Ambassador to make particular representations to the Madrid Government on this case?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I have said, His Majesty's Ambassador has urged that there should be clemency, and assurances have been received from the Spanish Government that only criminals will be punished.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these prisoners in Spain include a considerable number of men of the International Brigade, towards whom His Majesty's Government have a special responsibility since they were dismissed from the service of the Republican Army on the faith of the undertaking of the Non-intervention Committee that they were to be sent home or to places of safety, and that if they are allowed to go to certain death in Italy or Germany their blood will be on the head of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Lady has exaggerated the responsibility of His Majesty's Government in this matter, though none of us wish to forget the plight of these unhappy people. I have already received communications on the subject from hon. Members opposite.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is even more necessary to secure the release of these prisoners than that our Ambassador should attend the parade?
§ Mr. W. RobertsHas the right hon. Gentleman any information from the Ambassador as to the way in which the prisoners, both Spaniards and others, are being treated by the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. ButlerIf the hon. Gentleman likes to put down a question I will endeavour to get him an answer.
§ 21. Mr. R. Aclandasked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that arrangements have been made by the Italian Government to evacuate all troops from Spain immediately the victory march is over?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.