§ Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister what information is in the possession of His Majesty's Government as to the help in men, aeroplanes, and artillery, received from German and Italian sources by the Spanish insurgents, specifying separately help received during 1937 and since 1st January, 1938?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Government naturally receive information of this character in various ways. As I have stated already, it is extremely difficult to obtain confirmation of all reports received and it is therefore impossible to give particulars for the accuracy of which I could not vouch.
Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister whether instructions have been given and, if not, whether he will give immediate instructions to the British representative at Barcelona to cause inquiry to be made into the nationality of the airmen who have been, or may be, 1388W captured or killed when taking part on behalf of the insurgents in the bombardment of civilian objectives?
§ The Prime MinisterInstructions in this sense have already been sent to His Majesty's Minister at Barcelona.
§ Captain Ramsayasked the Prime Minister whether the protest recently addressed to General Franco was despatched on the understanding that there are no military objectives in Barcelona; and whether he will make it clear that this country, while abhorring any attack directed purely against the civilian population, recognises that there are at least 10 military objectives in that town, including munition dumps and stores, railway and shipping centres, oil tanks, Government offices, and power stations?
§ Mr. ButlerI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. W. P. Greene), to which I have nothing to add.
Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any claims for damage done to British merchant vessels by attack from Spanish insurgent forces; if so, what is the total of such claims; and whether he has received from the Spanish insurgents any and, if so, what sums in respect of these claims?
§ Mr. ButlerCertain claims of this nature have been received. Further claims in respect of these and other forms of damage have not yet been submitted to or considered by the Government, and I cannot therefore say what will be the aggregate amount of the claims to be presented to the insurgent authorities. It follows that no sums have been received from the latter.