§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Government have any reason to believe that it is contemplated by Italy to evacuate Kassala partially or entirely; whether the Government still attach supreme importance to the 676 retention of Kassala by the Italian forces; and, whether any order has been sent to the Officer in charge of the Egyptian forces suggesting that any further forward movement should be delayed?
MR. CURZONI must ask the hon. Member to excuse me from giving him the information he solicits. It is undesirable, and would, I think, be unprecedented to make any public statement with regard to intended operations either by the Italian or Egyptian forces.
§ MR. DALZIELasked whether the right hon. Gentleman could not answer that part of the Question referring to the importance of the retention of Kassala by the Italian forces?
MR. CURZONNo, Sir; I am not going to be tempted to give a reply to a Question which I have already, in the public interest, declined to answer. [Cheers.]