29
35
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Oral Answers 88. Miss Rathbone asked the Prime Minister whether he can inform the House as to questions of nationals of Czecho- slovakia held prisoner or detained as hostages by Germany or in the ceded territories of Czechoslovakia, on political grounds; how many of them have been released or are still detained; and what steps His Majesty's Government have taken about it?
Mr. Butler: I understand that agree- ment was reached early last month between the German and Czechoslovak Governments for the reciprocal release of such prisoners and hostages. I have no reason to suppose that this agreement has not been carried out on both sides. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 5th October.
Miss Rathbone: Will the hon. Gentle- man make inquiries, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister told the House that he had made no stipulations as to the release of these prisoners? Does not His Majesty's Government feel some respon- sibility for their safety, and will not in- quiries be made as to what actually has happened?
Mr. Butler: The Government took im- mediate action, and I have no reason to suppose that the agreement to which I have referred has not been carried out.
SPAIN.
80. Mr. V. Adams asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in securing against attacks by Spanish in- surgent aircraft shipping legitimately fly ing the Union Jack and proceeding on lawful occasions?
82. Mr. Mander asked the Prime Min- ister the number of British ships bombed and British subjects and non-intervention officers killed or wounded in Spain during the last three months, and the action in consequence taken?
83. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement as to the work of the Com- mission to inquire into the bombing of British ships in Spanish ports?
Mr. Butler: According to the Govern- ment's information, 21 British ships have been damaged in Spanish waters during
Oral Answers
36
the last three months. This is approxi- mately half the corresponding figure for the three months before the House rose at the end of July and at the most three of these ships have become total wrecks. I regret to say that one British subject was killed and at least one injured; no British Non-Intervention Observer has been killed or injured. Protests have been made to the Burgos authorities in certain of these cases and the right to claim compensation has been reserved. In other cases in- quiries are still being pursued. Discus- sions regarding the proposed commission of investigation are still proceeding with the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, the Committee of British Ship- owners Trading to Spain and other in- terests concerned. Agreement has been reached on most points and it is hoped shortly to submit a proposal to General Franco's administration.
Mr. V. Adams: Will compensation be demanded from the Burgos authorities or from whichever side is successful in the Spanish civil war?
Mr. Butler: As I said originally in explaining the matter to the House, the claim in law will lie against Spain.
Mr. Adams: But supposing the Repub- lican Government wins, as is by no means impossible now, would it not be an unjust thing-
Mr. Speaker: Mr. Thurtle.
Mr. Thurtle: When the hon. Member says that these ships have been damaged, does he mean they have been bombed by Italian aeroplanes?
Mr. Butler: I mean they have been damaged in the course of air raids by aeroplanes under the control of General Franco.
Rear-Admiral Beamish: Will my hon. Friend make it clear that no British merchant ship may fly the Union Jack?
Mr. Noel-Baker: In view of the fact that the only effective protest which has yet been made was that made in Rome on 27th June, have the Government now made a new protest in Rome?
Mr. Butler: I should require to have notice of that question.
Sir Archibald Sinclair: Have the Gov- ernment any hope of these events being stopped? Have they any determination to stop them?
37
Oral Answers
I NOVEMBER 1938
Mr. Petherick: Is it not the case that the bill should be sent to the Spanish Government?
UNITED KINGDOM AND GERMANY.
77. Mr. A. Henderson asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the conversations which have taken place between the German Govern- ment and His Majesty's Government?
The Prime Minister: I do not know what particular conversations the hon. Member has in mind, but I would refer him to the statements which I made on 28th Sep- tember and during the Debate at the beginning of last month.
Mr. McEntee: Has any progress been made since the statement was made some time ago in the House that negotiations for a loan were being carried on? Are the Government willing to do anything in regard to guaranteeing such a loan?
ANGLO-ITALIAN AGREEMENT.
85. Mr. A. Henderson asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the recent con- versations between His Majesty's Gov- ernment and the Italian Government?
76. Sir George Mitcheson asked the Prime Minister whether he has any state- ment to make in regard to the Anglo- Italian treaty?
The Prime Minister: I hope that the hon. Members will be good enough to await the statement which I propose to make at the end of Questions.
At the end of Questions--
The Prime Minister: This is the state- ment which I undertook to make on the Anglo-Italian Agreement:
It is the intention of His Majesty's Gov- ernment to bring the Anglo-Italian Agree- ment into force as soon as possible. In accordance with the statement which I made in the House on 11th July, the House should have an opportunity of debating this question. Accordingly, I propose to table a Motion to-night, which the House will debate to-morrow. The Motion will be in the following terms:
"That this House welcomes the intention of His Majesty's Government to bring the Anglo-Italian Agreement into force."
Oral Answers
30
38
Mr. Attlee: May I ask the Prime Minister whether he maintains that the condition on which was based the coming into force of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, namely, a settlement in Spain, has been attained?
The Prime Minister: That, of course, is a subject which will have to be discussed to-morrow in the Debate.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
EXPENDITURE.
89. Mr. Lyons asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the general apprehension felt at the increasing cost of local rates, he can now state what plans are in contemplation for bringing about stabilisation and eventual reduction in this local burden?
The Minister of Health (Mr. Elliot): Local authorities have been requested to prepare and submit to me programmes covering the next five years, so as to secure that new capital expenditure is carefully planned and entered into with due regard to the general economic cir- cumstances as well as the financial posi- tion of the local authority concerned. These returns have been somewhat de- layed by recent events but are now being received. As my hon. and learned Friend will appreciate the level of the rates is primarily a matter for the several local authorities. Although increases have re- cently been made in many areas the general level is still below that of some few years ago.
Mr. Lyons: In view of the fact that the burden is now becoming almost in- tolerable in many industrial areas, will my right hon. Friend consider making some representations to all local autho- rities that they should not readily increase above the existing basis the present high rates throughout the country?
Mr. Elliot: The responsibility rests upon the electors who elect the local authorities.
Mr. Lyons: Notwithstanding that, will my right hon. Friend make some repre- sentations on the lines I have indicated in the interests of millions of citizens who now carry this heavy burden of rates?
Mr. Herbert Morrison: With a view to attaining the end desired by the hon. and
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.