Oral Answers to Questions — Spain.

– in the House of Commons at on 11 May 1938.

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Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take in view of the official statement issued by the Spanish embassy on 21st April that Germany is in control of all operations on the Pyrenean frontier; that the command on the northern front is at present in the hands of the German Generals Wolff and Weitershein; that on 14th and 15th April 63 officers left Munich in Dunker aeroplanes for Spain, 52 of them for Seville, with a view to preparing an immediate offensive against Almeria from Malaga; and that this offensive is to be commanded by General Prager of the Reserve Corps and Colonel Himer of the Seventh German Army Corps?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I have no information confirming these statements.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Have the Government information that there are any Germans in Spain at all?

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Have undertakings been received that German troops will leave Spain after the settlement?

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Are the Government going to ask for any undertakings?

Photo of Major-General Sir Alfred Knox Major-General Sir Alfred Knox , Wycombe

Is it not a fact that Russian commissars are attached to the Barcelona forces?

Photo of Mr Arthur Henderson Mr Arthur Henderson , Kingswinford

asked the Prime Minister what information is in the possession of His Majesty's Government with regard to the intention of the United States Government to remove the embargo on arms against the Spanish Government?

Photo of Mr Neville Chamberlain Mr Neville Chamberlain , Birmingham, Edgbaston

Export of arms to Spain from the United States of America is now prohibited by joint resolution of Congress, and it is impossible at present to say whether that resolution will be repealed, amended or left unchanged, since the United States Government have not yet announced what are their intentions in this respect.

Photo of Mr Arthur Henderson Mr Arthur Henderson , Kingswinford

Is it not evident that there is a considerable volume of feeling in the United States which regards this arms embargo as a gross betrayal of the Spanish Government?

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Is there any foundation for the statement that the British Government are trying to discourage the American Government from taking any action in the matter?

Photo of Mr Neville Chamberlain Mr Neville Chamberlain , Birmingham, Edgbaston

There is no foundation whatever.

Photo of Mr Arthur Henderson Mr Arthur Henderson , Kingswinford

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the insurgent air raid on Valencia on 5th May; and what protests have been received from British sources with reference to the recent air bombing of the city and port of Valencia?

Photo of Mr George Strauss Mr George Strauss , Lambeth North

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he can make any statement regarding the bombing of the British merchant ship "Greatend" at Valencia;

(2) whether he has considered the protest from a number of captains of British ships at Valencia, supported by their crews, numbering 400, stating that the recent insurgent air attacks on that port have been deliberately aimed at the British ships lying there; and what action he proposes to take?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

On 5th May there were two air raids on Valencia, in the course of which, I understand, one British ship was slightly damaged. Two further air raids took place on 7th May, which formed the subject of a protest addressed to my Noble Friend by the masters of a number of British ships then in Valencia harbour. In the first of these raids, which took place at g a.m., the forecastle, bridge and plates on the starboard bow of the steamship "Greatend" were severely damaged, and I regret to say that two members of the crews were injured. Other British ships were slightly damaged. The second raid took place at 9 p.m. when bombs were dropped by an aeroplane flying very low in the neighbourhood of two British vessels, the "Stanhope" and "Stancroft," which were both lying in Valencia roads about one mile from the end of the breakwater.

As regards the first three raids I have mentioned, His Majesty's Government are not in possession of definite evidence to show that a deliberate attack was aimed against British shipping. As regards the fourth raid, however, the low altitude of the attack and the fact that the master of the "Stanhope" reported that a reconnaissance was carried out on the previous evening by an aeroplane of similar type, have forced His Majesty's Government to the conclusion that these vessels were deliberately singled out for attack. In consequence, instructions have been sent to the British Agent at Burgos to address a strong protest to the Burgos authorities against what appears to His Majesty's Government an entirely unwarrantable proceeding and to request an immediate investigation of the incident. Sir Robert Hodgson has further been instructed to draw the attention of the Burgos authorities to the damage which has recently been suffered by British ships in air raids and to request them to take every precaution to avoid causing damage to shipping by indiscriminate bombing.

Photo of Mr Arthur Henderson Mr Arthur Henderson , Kingswinford

In view of the fact that on at least one occasion, the aeroplanes were flying at a low altitude, can the hon. Gentleman say what types of machine were being used and of what nationality they were?

Mr. Butlers:

I have not that information with me.

Mr. Wedgwood Bonn:

How can the hon. Gentleman say that he has not that information when he has already told us it was the same type of machine which came on the second occasion?

Photo of Mr George Strauss Mr George Strauss , Lambeth North

In view of the fact that the captain has alleged that these were Italian aeroplanes, will the Government inform Signor Mussolini that there will be no ratification of the Anglo-Italian Agreement unless there is an immediate undertaking not to carry out deliberate attacks on British ships?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I have informed the House that a protest has been made and that inquiries are being made. I think we had better await the result.

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any satisfaction has been received as a result of previous protests to the Government of Burgos?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I should like notice of that.

Vice-Admiral Taylor:

Is it not a fact that, if these ships at Valencia had been deliberately attacked by these aeroplanes, in all probability they would not have been hit at all?

Photo of Mr Richard Acland Mr Richard Acland , Barnstaple

asked the Prime Minister what are the circumstances attaching to the conflict in Spain which are different from those attaching to the conflict in China, which result in it being possible and expedient for His Majesty's Government to present claims for compensation to the Japanese Government as soon as they are received but inexpedient to present such claims to the Burgos authorities until the termination of hostilities?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

The circumstances of the civil war in Spain are so different from those of the present conflict in the Far East that it is not possible for His Majesty's Government to take identical action in both cases. The question of the presentation of claims is one in which His Majesty's Government must be guided by practical considerations and they must remain the judges of the most suitable moment for taking action.

Photo of Mr Richard Acland Mr Richard Acland , Barnstaple

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that if no solid reasons are given for this differentiation, public opinion must think it is because the Government do not want to embarrass General Franco?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I do not know whether that is the inference which the hon. Gentleman would draw, but if so he is certainly wrong. The Government press these claims at what they consider to be the suitable moment for obtaining satisfaction.

Photo of Mr Richard Acland Mr Richard Acland , Barnstaple

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

Notice has been given that the matter will be raised on the Adjournment.