HC Deb 02 March 1938 vol 332 cc1121-2W
Mr. Hall-Caine

asked the Prime Minister whether before starting the conversations with Italy, the British Government is in possession of reliable information as to the numbers of foreign troops in Spain either on one side or the other?

Mr. Butler

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 28th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Sir N. Stewart Sandeman).

Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister what reports have been received from His Majesty's Consular Agents in Spanish territory controlled by General Franco concerning recent arrivals of war material from Italy and Germany?

The Prime Minister

No recent reports of this nature have been received.

Duchess of Atholl

asked the Prime Minister whether the formula for the withdrawal of the foreigners from Spain, as accepted by the Italian and German Governments, provides for the proportionate withdrawal of members of the various grades of all the technical services in the land, sea and air forces, and of the armaments of which such technicians have charge?

Mr. Butler

I have nothing to add to the reply given by the late Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 14th February to similar questions put by the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker).

Duchess of Atholl

asked the Prime Minister whether, in considering the grant of belligerent rights to Spanish insurgents, there will be a thorough investigation as to whether they have observed the laws and usages of war, not only in regard to maritime warfare, but in regard to attacks on non-combatants and on the Red Cross by their air force, and also in regard to their lack of observance of the conditions under which Santona was surrendered by the Basque army, with a view to withholding belligerent rights from them if they are found not to have observed the laws and usages of war?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. The conditions on which belligerent rights are to be granted to both sides in Spain are substantially those detailed in the British plan of 14th July, 1937.