§ Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in what circumstances, on whose authority and at what cost a British destroyer was despatched to rescue from the hands of the Spanish Government Mr. Rupert Belville, who appears to have been previously assisting the insurgent forces in Spain; and whether similar rescues have been effected on the other side?
Mr. CooperAt 11.30 a.m. on 9th September, Captain (D), 6th Flotilla on board His Majesty's Ship "Keith" at274W St. Jean de Luz was informed by a representative of the British Embassy at Hendaye that permission for the release of Mr. Belville had been given by the Spanish authorities at Gijon and that a motor-boat would bring Mr. Belville out from Gijon at noon on the following day. Arrangements were accordingly made for His Majesty's Ship "Foresight," which was on patrol off Gijon and Aviles, to take him on board. This was done and His Majesty's Ship "Foresight" left the patrol area at 10 p.m. the same night for La Pallice to oil in accordance with her pre-arranged programme. No additional cost was therefore incurred. There was thus no question of rescue in this case, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the Steamship "Dover Abbey"; why the vessel is still held in spite of the promise given by the Spanish insurgents that she would be released; and whether it has been established that she was seized outside Spanish territorial waters?
§ Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the British ship "Seven Seas Spray" was captured by the Italian army in the Spanish port of Santonia on 26th August, and why it has been held in that port ever since; why the master of the vessel, Captain Roberts, and his daughter have been held prisoner in the ship since that date; what representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to the Italian Government and to General 275W Franco; and what compensation has been claimed for Captain Roberts and the owners of the ship?
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the captain and crew of the Steamship "Dover Abbey," which was captured off Gijon on 5th October, have been liberated and the cargo placed at the disposal of the owners?
§ Viscount CranborneI understand that the Steamship "Seven Seas Spray" was in the port of Santonia when it was captured by the forces under General Franco's command. The Steamship "Dover Abbey" was seized on 5th October, but investigations have failed to establish definitely whether she was seized in Spanish territorial waters or not. The masters and crews of these two vessels have, I understand, also been detained with their ships. His Majesty's Government have made representations to the Salamanca authorities regarding the seizure and detention of these two vessels and an undertaking has been obtained that they will be released. I hope to be in a position to make a further statement on the subject shortly. The owners of the "Seven Seas Spray" have not, I understand, made any request for compensation, but any such claim if made would naturally receive most careful consideration.
§ Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information concerning the occupation of the Columbretes Archipelago by Italian forces and of the island of Alboran by German forces; and whether he can make a statement?
§ Viscount CranborneI understand that a French warship recently visited the Columbretes Archipelago, while a British warship visited Alboran Island last Saturday. In neither case was there any trace of an occupation by German or Italian forces.
§ Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the prospective capture of Minorca by Nationalist and Italian forces is regarded as a development in which Great Britain is directly interested; and whether steps are being taken to prevent such an occurrence?
276W
§ Viscount CranborneI would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the full statement made on this subject by the Prime Minister in the course of last Thursday's Debate, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Colonel Nathanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's representatives, diplomatic and consular, in Spain has been censored and/or delayed by directions of General Franco; and what action His Majesty's Government has taken in regard thereto?
§ Viscount CranborneSince the reply given by my Noble Friend to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member on 29th July, no cases have been brought to my notice of correspondence between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives in Spain having been delayed or censored by the direction of General Franco.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the circumstances under which the British steamship "Seven Seas Spray" is detained at Santonia; and whether any steps have been taken to secure her release?
§ Viscount CranborneI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have already given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) this afternoon.