HC Deb 06 October 1938 vol 339 cc479-80W
Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government is now prepared to reconsider its decision and to allow the export of anti-aircraft guns to Spain, in view of the report of the British Commission of Investigation that the Nationalist forces made deliberate attacks on civilian areas in Alicante and that in a raid on Barcelona on 19th August no military objectives, including factories and store depots, were located in the area?

Mr. Butler

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 15th June to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson) in which it was made clear that a decision to allow the export of anti-aircraft guns to Spain did not rest with His Majesty's Government alone, and that there was little prospect of obtaining general acceptance by the members of the Non-Intervention Committee of any such proposal.

Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the resolution of the Assembly of the League of Nations on 30th September, 1937, to the effect that if the complete withdrawal of non-Spanish combatants from Spain were not obtained in the near future the members of the League would consider ending the policy of non-intervention, and in view of the failure a year later to secure such results, His Majesty's Government will reconsider their policy of non-intervention?

Mr. Butler

No resolution in the terms referred to was adopted by the assembly. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Dr. Summerskill

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the report of the Commission appointed by His Majesty's Government to investigate air-raids in Spain, that the raid on 25th August on the railway station, salt factories, etc., of Torrevieja was not carried out under any misapprehension that there were military objectives, and the subsequent raid on 5th September, His Majesty's Government will reconsider their decision regarding the export of anti-aircraft guns to Spain as part of their policy of mitigating the horrors of the war?

Mr. Butler

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to-day to the hon. Member for Cumberland, North (Mr. W. Roberts) to which I have nothing to add.