§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that the Spanish Nationalist courts, which are to exact retribution from anti-Nationalist elements, are composed of an army officer, a judicial functionary, and a member of the State party; that they will have jurisdiction to denounce or accuse as well as try; and whether he will endeavour to secure from General Franco a more specific differentiation between criminal and political offences than he has yet given;
(2) whether he can state, having in mind the undertakings in regard to political offences given by General Franco, if he has received any assurances 2356W that the National Tribunal of Political Responsibilities, recently set up by the Spanish Caudillo, will not extend to political offences?
§ Mr. ButlerThe information contained in the first part of this question is, according to a summary of this law which I have received, substantially correct. It will be observed that sentences to be passed under the provisions of the decree do not include the death penalty, but I am making further inquiries in regard to the exact scope and proposed application of the law in question and I am unable to make any further statement prior to the receipt of this information.
§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Prime Minister what alterations are to be made in the Non-intervention Committee following the changed circumstances in Spain?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that the Nonintervention Committee has not yet taken any decision in this matter, but meanwhile considerable economies have been made.
§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Ambassador in Spain is accredited to General Franco in person, or in his capacity as the head of the Nationalist Army, or as the head of a civil Government?
§ Mr. ButlerIt is not the usual practice to address letters of credence to foreign heads of State by their personal names and no exception has been made in this particular case. His Majesty's Ambassador will, therefore, be accredited to the chief of the Spanish State.