§ Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Prime Minister of France that if concerted action with the British Government were possible France would be prepared to raise the embargo on the export of arms to the Spanish Government; and whether he will consider taking such concerted action?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. Member will recall that, in the course of the Debate on 29th October, I quoted a statement which the French representative on the International Committee had made, as reported in the communiqué, the preceding day, regarding his Government's attitude as to non-intervention in Spain. That statement was as follows
The French Government maintained in its entirely their attitude in regard to the non-intervention agreement, and would take all possible steps to secure the effective application of the agreement for the adoption of which they had taken the initiative in the interests of European peace. They would therefore examine any practical scheme of control that might be submitted and would participate in any measure that might be accepted by all the participating Governments.His Majesty's Government have received no communication, official or otherwise, to suggest that the French Government have modified the attitude set forth in this statement.
§ Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement issued by the Spanish Government to the effect that Italian soldiers belonging to the 10th artillery company of Rome have been sent by the Governor of Rome, together with guns, to assist the rebels in Spain, and in view of the urgency of the situation 886W and the gravity of this statement, he will communicate directly on the subject with the Italian Government?
§ Mr. EDENI have received from the Spanish Ambassador a statement on this matter based on the alleged information of an Italian soldier taken prisoner by the Spanish authorities. It is not for His Majesty's Government to take up direct with the Italian Government a case of this nature. Information such as that referred to by the hon. Member, if it is substantiated, would appear to be a matter for consideration by the International Committee regarding Non-Intervention in Spain.