HC Deb 17 May 1938 vol 336 cc235-6W
Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of making proposals to the United States of America for joint action in the raising of the embargo on the export of arms to the Spanish Government?

Mr. Butler:

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to abandon their policy of non-intervention in the Spanish conflict, and they are therefore unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

Major Whiteley

asked the Prime Minister whether, as a result of information received from the Non-intervention Board, the steamship "Stancroft" was on Thursday last taken under naval escort to Gibraltar for examination; and, if so, whether the examination has been completed and with what result?

Mr. Butler:

As a result of a report received from the Non-Intervention authorities to the effect that the steamship "Stancroft" had loaded at Barcelona a cargo including cartridge cases, an officer of His Majesty's Ship "Devonshire" was sent to examine the cargo of the vessel after her arrival at Valencia. It was not found possible to carry out an inspection on the spot; but as it was considered that there was sufficient evidence to justify the suspicion that a breach of the Carriage of Munitions to Spain Act, 1936, had been committed, the vessel was sent to Gibraltar for further examination. I am not yet in a position to say what was the result.