§ Sir E. Brocklebankasked the Prime Minister what ships, other than British, have been bombed in Spanish territorial waters; what was their nationality; and what have been the casualties?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government have not felt it necessary to call for such authoritative reports regarding attacks on foreign ships as they require in respect of British ships. Accordingly no comprehensive list has been kept of foreign ships which have been attacked from the air in Spanish territorial waters, since the outbreak of hostilities. Subject to these considerations I can, however, inform my hon. Friend that the following have been involved in attacks since the middle of April last:
The French Steamships "El Djem," "Brisbane," "Gaulois" and "Cap Bear" and the Dutch Steamship "Parklaan," which was twice attacked. Five persons were killed on board the Steamship "Brisbane," and one on board the Steamship "Parklaan."
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§ Mr. Cocksasked the Prime Minister when the names of British prisoners of war in the hands of General Franco can be made available?
§ Mr. ButlerThis list has now been made available to the Press and for the convenience of hon. Members I am placing a copy in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can state the respective locations of the following British ships when they were attacked by units belonging to General Franco's armed forces: Steamship "Cardium" on 11th November, 1937; Steamship "Bramhill" in December, 1937; Steamship "Clonnara" on 19th January, 1938; Steamship "Lake Geneva" on 19th January, 1938; Steamship "Peckham" on 8th February, 1938; His Majesty's Ships "Blanche" and "Brilliant" on 5th March, 1938; Steamship "Surrey Brook" on 29th April, 1938; Steamships "Stancroft" and "Stanbrook" on 3oth April, 1938; Steamship "Surrey" on 1st May, 1938; Steamship "Refast" on 8th May, 1938?
§ Mr. ButlerAvailable information does not indicate that there were any attacks on the "Cardium," the "Bramhill," the "Peckham" or the "Surrey"on the dates mentioned by the hon. Member.
The "Clonlara" was 10 miles north of Castellon when attacked by an unidentified submarine on the 19th January last. The "Lake Geneva" was 3½ miles south-east of Valencia when similarly attacked on the 15th January. His Majesty's Ship "Blanche" and His Majesty's Ship "Brilliant" were 40 miles south-east of Cape Palos when attacked on the 5th March last by aircraft which, as the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft) was informed on the 9th March, were assumed on the evidence available to be in the service of the Spanish Government. The "Surrey Brook" was 28 miles south-east of Barcelona when attacked by unidentified aircraft on the 29th April. The "Stancroft" and "Stanbrook" were in Barcelona on the 3oth April when, according to reports received from the owners, they were the object of an attack by hostile aircraft, in the course of which slight damage was caused to the "Stanbrook." The "Refast" was ordered 2278W into Algeciras on the 8th of May, when off that port, by two Spanish trawlers, but was saved from complying with this order by the intervention of His Majesty's Ship "Grafton."