Mr. V. Adamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made in the prevention of the entry into Spain of foreign nationals intending to engage in the civil war in progress there, and in the recall by the several Governments concerned of their nationals at present engaged in that conflict?
§ Viscount CranborneIf my hon. Friend is referring, in the first part of his question, to progress made in connection with the operation of the scheme of observation, I would refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend yesterday to a question on this subject put by the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher). As he is aware, the prohibition of the departure for Spain of non-Spanish nationals for the purpose of taking part in the present conflict3076W entered into force as from midnight 20–21st February. As regards the question of the withdrawal of such persons from Spain, I have nothing to add to the terms of the reply to which I have just referred.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the note from the Spanish Government informing His Majesty's Government that they cannot admit control of the coasts of Spain by nations which are intervening in favour of the rebels; and, if so, whether he can make any statement as to the bearing of this note upon the future of the Merchant Shipping (Spanish Frontiers Observation) Act?
§ Viscount CranborneNo such note has been received from the Spanish Government.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have now finished their consideration of the note presented by the Spanish Government to the effect that four Italian divisions have been in action on the Guadalajara front, that two more are due to arrive, and that the Italian and German fleets are planning to attack Barcelona and Valencia; if so, whether the Government are taking any action in the matter; and whether lie can make any statement on the subject?
§ Viscount CranborneI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject by my right hon. Friend to a question asked by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) yesterday, to which I have nothing at present to add.
§ Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the inquiries he 3077W has been making concerning the report that Italian forces have landed in Spain since 20th February?
§ Viscount CranborneI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Rotherham {Mr. Dobbie) yesterday, to which I have nothing further to add.
§ Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a reply from General Franco's authorities to the protest addressed to them by His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye in reference to the laying of mines?
§ Viscount CranborneThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. Dobbieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of the gold of the Bank of Spain has been discussed by the chairman's sub-committee of the Non-Intervention Committee; by whom was such discussion initiated; whether any objection was made to such discussion; and, if so, by whom and for what reason?
§ Viscount CranborneAs has been pointed out on several occasions, the discussions of the Non-Intervention Committee and its sub-committees are confidential and I am not, therefore, in a position to disclose details. I understand, however, that the question of the gold of the Bank of Spain has been raised on several occasions in the Chairman's Sub-Committee and, as the hon. Member will doubtless have seen from the communiqué which was issued to the Press on 23rd March, it was then decided to submit the whole question of Spanish capital assets, including the gold of the Bank of Spain, for examination by a special sub-committee of juridical experts.