§ Mr. Grenfellasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in consequence of the supervision of imports into Spanish Mediterranean ports by German 1353W and Italian naval authorities, any transfer of British naval units serving in those waters is contemplated?
Lord StanleyI would draw the hon. Member's attention to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) yesterday. The new observation scheme must necessarily involve a change in the disposition of His Majesty's ships but in spite of this, we shall hope to maintain touch with His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular representatives at Valencia, Barcelona and Palma.
§ Mr. Grenfellasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what protection is given to British merchant shipping in Spanish waters; and whether British vessels are guaranteed immunity from attack by armed vessels or from mines while engaged on legitimate trade with any port in Spain?
Lord StanleyAs has previously been made clear in this House, British merchant shipping is entitled to Naval protection against any illegal interference by either party in Spain. His Majesty's ships will therefore be prepared to afford such protection as the circumstances of any particular case allow. As regards mines, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my noble Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, gave on the 9th March to the hon. Member for East Cardiff (Mr. O. T. Morris).
§ Mr. Denvilleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any precautions are being taken to prevent volunteers passing from France to Spain via the village of Perthus?
§ Viscount CranborneI have no grounds for believing that the regulations introduced by the French Government and the Non-Intervention Committee's supervision scheme for the Franco-Spanish frontier, to which my right hon. Friend drew attention in replying to my hon. Friend's question on 1st March, do not apply to the village of Perthus.
Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what manner Germany has asked to pay her contributions towards the expenses of the intervention control system in Spain; and whether any other Powers will be allowed to pay their contributions in a similar way?
1354W
§ Viscount CranborneI understand that the German Government has agreed to contribute to the cost of the scheme on the scale suggested by the Non-Intervention Committee, and in common with the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has undertaken to make an immediate advance of £io,000 payable in London. The method to be adopted for the transfer of the balance of the contribution is under discussion. No similar question has arisen in the case of other Powers with the exception of Greece, which has made a provisional reservation on the subject.
§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the business which has taken Mr. A. J. Pack, the commercial secretary attached to His Majesty's Embassy in Spain, and Mr. Ronald Fraser, of the Board of Trade, to Burgos; and if they are in negotiation with the rebel leader, General Franco?
§ Viscount CranborneMr. Pack and Mr. Fraser went to Burgos and Salamanca with a view to holding informal conversations with representatives of General Franco's administration about outstanding problems relating to British trade with those areas in Spain which are under General Franco's control. It will be recalled that my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade on 17th December, in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kirk-dale (Sir R. Rankin) stated that informal assurances similar to those obtained from the Spanish Government regarding the future trade between the United Kingdom and Spain, had been obtained in regard to the parts of Spain not under control of the Government. The present conversations are concerned with various questions of detail connected with those assurances.