Spanish seamen in British ports : history of case

              File No. 940 528
Subject Spanish Seamen in British Ports.
HISTORY OF CASE
1939.
March 6 MID-ATLANTIC Shipping Co. notify us of 280 Spanish seamen in 14 British ports, stranded because their ships have been given by courts to Franco Government.
March 14 After correspondence with Home Office and a conference of the British Section of the I.T.F., the T.U.C. agreed to accept responsibility for the men, a sum of £1,000 to be subscribed by the Section, and administration at the outset to be undertaken by the N.U.Seamen.
March 18 TRADES COUNCILS concerned notified of the position of the seamen, and asked to secure hospitality where possible.
March / April Reponse of British Section:
		quota	grant
	N.U.Railwaymen	£500	£500
	T.& G.W.U.	£280	—
	R.C.A.	£ 80	£ 80
	A.S.L.E.& F.	£ 70	£ 70
	N.U.Seamen	£ 40	£ 40
	N.U.D.A.W.	£ 40	£ 40
	Int. Merc. Marine Officers Assocn.	£ 20	£ 20
	Coal Trimmers Union	£ 2.10.0	£ 2.10. 0
April  28 N.U.SEAMEN report accommodation can be found in London for all men at S.A. hostels at 15/- per week.
May 4	N.U.SEAMEN send accounts for their period of administration.
May 6	Trades Councils concerned asked to undertake administration.
May 9	BASQUE DELEGATION report on incident at which five men secured £10 each by threats.
May 15 BASQUE DELEGATION send current list of men.
May 17 BASQUE DELEGATION sends remittance of £2,500.
List of ports, numbers of men (241) and remittances.
May 23 List of ports, numbers (279) and remittances.
July 14 Discussion with Basque Delegation about emigration. 
July 20 Circular to Trades Councils concerned about possibility of dealing with the men's clothing problems locally.
July 31 Circular to Trades Councils concerned about possibility of emigrating to Venezuela.
August 15 We urge Basque Delegation to press responsible authority to conclude emigration arrangements for the men.
August 18 List ports, numbers (242) and remittances.
Nov. 1 Circular to Trades Councils concerned about general extension of permits to remain in U.K.
Dec. 5 We notify Trades Councils concerned of Government's intention (statement in House on 23 November) to utilise services of friendly aliens
Dec. 21 We send Trades Councils concerned particulars of qualifications of men in case openings for work arise locally, and Christmas allowances of 5/- per head.