§ 9. Mr. ELLIS SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any British advisers have recently been acting with the chiefs or heads of any native governments in South-Western Abyssinia with the approval of His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan; whether any such advisers have recently been withdrawn or recalled; and, if so, for what reasons?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)The answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. The second and third parts do not, therefore, arise.
§ 10. Mr. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a native government or governments now function in all or part of South-Western Abyssinia; whether order is being maintained in that region; whether, in order to preserve peace and order in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, steps will be taken to assist such native governments; and what response has been made to any recent requests from such governments for 1067 assistance in money or ammunition from His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan?
§ Mr. EDENAs I informed the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 22nd June last, the few Amhara officials remaining in Western Abyssinia to-day are not in a position, owing to the hostility of the Galla population, to exercise any authority. Reports have recently been received from His Majesty's Consul at Gore that very disturbed conditions continue to prevail in his district. Communications between Gore and the interior are extremely uncertain, and the road between Gore and Gambeila is also unsafe. There are at present in the unoccupied portions of Abyssinia, including the Gore consular district, many independent bands of Amhara soldiery living on the country, who are in frequent conflict with the local tribes. As there are a number of foreign missionaries and traders and various isolated settlers in the unoccupied portions of Western Abyssinia, His Majesty's Consul at Gore has been authorised at his discretion to take such steps as may be possible to facilitate their evacuation; and a number of persons have succeeded in reaching Gore and Gambeila. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot add anything to the statements which have been previously made on this subject. I should like to take the opportunity of making it clear to the House that there is no foundation whatever for allegations which have been made in certain quarters that His Majesty's Consul at Gore has been engaged in political activities. On the contrary, Captain Erskine's sole concern has been to endeavour to maintain order and ensure the safety of foreigners in his district. His work in this respect has been of the utmost value.
§ 26. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to publish, as promised on 17th June, Sir Sidney Barton's report with regard to events in Abyssinia; and whether he will also publish recent reports received from British consular representatives in Abyssinia with regard to the existing position?
§ Mr. EDENThe report referred to in the first part of the hon. and gallant 1068 Member's question was published as a White Paper (Cmd. 5123) on 1st July. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.