HC Deb 20 July 1937 vol 326 cc1981-2W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it would be a violation of international custom that a ship of the British Navy should proceed within the Spanish three-mile limit to protect against insurgent attack a merchant ship belonging to this country?

Viscount Cranborne

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on this subject yesterday.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from the French or Spanish Governments any information as to treaties concluded by General Franco with the Italian, German, or Portuguese Governments?

Viscount Cranborne

No, Sir.

Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire from naval and consular authorities at ports near Gibraltar whether the "Deutschland" and/ or the "Von Scheer" have in the past six months landed any guns?

Viscount Cranborne

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information concerning the numbers, types, calibres, and countries of origin of the heavy guns and howitzers which have been mounted in territory adjacent to Gibraltar in such a way as to command that fortress?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for the Gorton Division of Manchester (Mr. Benn) and to the speech of my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Debate.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is a decision of the Cabinet that a British ship entering Spanish territorial waters against the advice of the commanding officers of His Majesty's ships, and being interfered with by Spanish rebel naval forces from outside territorial waters, thereby forfeits all right to protection from His Majesty's ships both inside territorial waters and also when she comes outside territorial waters in compliance with the orders of the rebel ships to enable the latter to take control of her?

Lieut.-Colonel Llewellin

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to two answers given yesterday. The first to the hon. and gallant Member himself by the Prime Minister and the second to the right hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Benn) by my right hon. Friend the First Lord.

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