HC Deb 27 July 1938 vol 338 c3135W
Duchess of Atholl

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to enable destroyers to make more frequent visits to ports in Republican Spain when British merchant ships are there and to give protection to such ships when making their way to these ports from the Nyon line, he will give orders that destroyers shall be stationed singly along the Nyon line instead of in groups of two or three?

Mr. Cooper

Whether the ships engaged on duties connected with the protection of shipping operate singly or in groups depends on the circumstances prevailing at any particular time and is a matter for the discretion of the Senior Naval Officer in the area. Forty-nine visits have been paid to Spanish Government ports during the past month.