Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 5 June 1939.
Sir Percy Harris
, Bethnal Green South West
asked the Prime Minister how many Italian troops have been withdrawn since the victory march of Madrid; and how many Italian troops are still in Spain?
Mr David Grenfell
, Gower
asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Spain?
Mr Henry White
, Birkenhead East
asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state what progress has been made towards the settlement of claims for loss of life, personal injuries and damage to British shipping by Spanish forces during the war in Spain?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
The situation in Spain is steadily returning to normal. Five German ships left Vigo for Germany on 26th May, having embarked some 6,000 officers and men of the Condor Legion. On 31st May and 1st June, nine transports left Cadiz with approximately22,000 Italian troops, and only a small proportion remain. The necessary machinery has been established in the Foreign Office for the examination of all claims—other than commercial claims, which are being dealt with by the Board of Trade. Some outstanding claims are being collected by organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce for Spain and the necessary decisions will be taken when they are submitted to the Foreign Office. The system of safe-conducts for persons wishing to enter Spain, which had caused much delay and inconvenience and which has been the subject of representations by His Majesty's Government was recently abolished in favour of a normal visa system which it is hoped will work more rapidly and smoothly.
Sir Percy Harris
, Bethnal Green South West
Would the right hon. Gentleman kindly say whether guns and equipment are being evacuated at the same time as men, or are they being left behind in depots?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
Some war material has been returned, but a considerable quantity has been handed over to the Spanish Government.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
Is not that contrary to the Anglo-Italian Agreement and assurances?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
There is nothing to prevent the Italian Government selling war material or giving it to the Spanish Government.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
Does it not say that the troops with their war material would be withdrawn?
Mr. Davidson:
On a point of Order. In view of the fact that the House was given a definite assurance by the Prime Minister that he would answer on all questions of major importance, can we ask the Prime Minister to reply to this question?
Mr. Deputy-Speaker:
If the hon. Member wants to ask a question other than that on the Paper, which is not in order as a supplementary, he must put it on the Order Paper.
Captain William Benn
, Manchester, Gorton
Is it not a fact that the Prime Minister gave an assurance that he would himself answer all questions of major importance on foreign affairs?
Mr. Deputy-Speaker:
That is not a matter for me.
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
May I ask the Undersecretary, as the Prime Minister is 10th to reply, whether it is not the case that an impression was definitely created on all sides of the House that the withdrawal of men implied also the immediate withdrawal of material?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I think the position is clear. I have stated that certain war material has been withdrawn and that certain war material has not been withdrawn. All that the Anglo-Italian Agreement said in the exchange of letters was that all Italian war material would be withdrawn. There is nothing in it to stop the Italians either selling or giving war material to the Spanish Government.
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
In these circumstances is it not the case that the Government have seriously misled this House in this matter?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I would not say so at all. Naturally, we should wish that all material should go back, but there is nothing to prevent the Italian Government selling or giving war material to the Spanish Government.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
It is a breach of the Agreement.
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
May I press the Undersecretary? Is it not the case that the Government definitely stated that the understanding was that war material would be withdrawn with the troops, and if that is not being done, is not that a breach of the undertaking given to the House?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
The Anglo-Italian Agreement related to Italian war material, and certain war material has been withdrawn with the Italian troops. The Italian Government have at the same time given, or rather, I believe, sold other war material to the Spanish Government and we have no means of preventing them from doing that.
Mr Henry Croft
, Bournemouth
May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can now assure the House that the fear that there are sufficient troops, German or Italian, left in Spain to coerce the Spanish nation no longer exists?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I have given the numbers of Italian and German troops which have left Spain.
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
Is it not the fact that the Prime Minister has been duped again?
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Hackney South
Are we to understand that His Majesty's Government have decided to acquiesce in what is a deliberate breach of undertaking on the part of the Government of Italy?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I cannot accept the position as stated by the right hon. Gentleman. I have stated the facts which it is my duty to put before the House. The facts are that certain war material has been withdrawn and certain war material has been sold to the Spanish Government. I am not called upon to approve any such action.
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
Is not this one more verbal quibble such as we have had from the beginning?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
Can the Under-Secretary explain how it was that the week before the House adjourned the Prime Minister, in answer to a question which I put, said he was satisfied that all Italian war material had been or would be withdrawn?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
Italian war material has been withdrawn with the troops, but some has been sold or given to the Spanish Government.
Mr Reginald Fletcher
, Nuneaton
I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.
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