HC Deb 06 July 1937 vol 326 cc186-7W
Miss Rathbone

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British ships have entered Santander Harbour during the past fortnight; whether they experienced any difficulty in doing so; and whether they all carried observers?

Mr. Stanley

According to the information available to the Board of Trade, the number of British ships which entered Santander during the fortnight ended 30th June was 15, all of which carried Observing Officers. The Board have no information that any of the vessels experienced difficulty. Since 30th June, however, Spanish insurgent war vessels have been endeavouring to prevent the entry of merchant ships into Santander, and they captured a French vessel on 4th July. A notification was sent to the British shipping industry on 2nd July regarding the risks which British merchant ships bound for Santander may encounter in territorial waters.