HC Deb 22 July 1937 vol 326 cc2424-6W
Mr. David Adams

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, by a trade agreement between Germany and General Franco, all iron-ore mined in Bilbao will be shipped to Germany regardless of existing contracts for the delivery of ore to this country; and whether the Government propose to take any steps in the matter?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

No details of the agreement between Germany and General Franco's administration have yet been published, and I am not aware of its contents.

Captain Ramsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are requesting the Nationalist Government in Spain to extend all the usual diplomatic facilities to the new British Consul at Bilbao; and whether they will at the same time offer similar facilities to a representative of General Franco in this country?

Viscount Cranborne

The question of the terms on which British consular officers will be received by the Salamanca authorities is at present under discussion. The second part of the question does not, therefore, at present arise.

Captain Ramsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Consuls are representing His Majesty's Government in the territory at present held by the Valencia Government and how many in that portion of Spain held by the Nationalists?

Viscount Cranborne

Three salaried and six unsalaried Consular posts are open in territory held by the Spanish Government and four salaried and 10 unsalaried posts in territory held by the Salamanca authorities.

Captain Ramsay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government requires Consuls in Spain to remit news regarding happenings in the territory adjacent to them; and whether such reports are furnished weekly or monthly, or only on demand?

Viscount Cranborne

It is part of the regular duties of His Majesty's Consular officers to report promptly on events of interest to His Majesty's Government occurring within their Consular districts, and they do so without waiting for special instruction.

Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from what ports in Southern Spain he is making inquiries as to the alleged landing of guns from German warships; and when he expects to receive replies to his telegrams?

Viscount Cranborne

The inquiry in question is being addressed to such officials as, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, are likely to be in a position to make the necessary investigations. The right hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, appreciate that it is not possible to specify the matter further, or to give any definite date as to when replies may be expected.

Commander Bower

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any report from his representatives in Spain with regard to the whereabouts of the parents of the Basque children refugees now in Great Britain; and whether, as a result of such report, it will be possible to repatriate some of the children at an early date?

Viscount Cranborne

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement which was made by my right hon. Friend on this subject yesterday.

Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement concerning the circumstances in which one of His Majesty's warships advised the master of the British steamship "Thorpe Bay" not to enter the port of Santander on the morning of 15th July?

Lieut.-Colonel Llewellin

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for the Combined Universities (Miss Rathbone) and West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on Monday last.

Mr. Mander

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what instructions have been issued to the Navy off the coast of Spain as to action in the event of British ships in territorial waters being attacked and fired at by rebel ships outside the three-mile limit; and if the British Navy in such circumstances is free to protect British ships?

Lieut.-Colonel Llewellin

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on Monday last by the Prime Minister in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) and to the First Lord's answer yesterday to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Mr. Acland).

Mr. Benn

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any British warships made signals to the steamship "Molton" when she was a prisoner on the high seas; and, if so, what signals?

Lieut.-Colonel Llewellin

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.