HC Deb 02 June 1896 vol 41 cc296-7
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether Her Majesty's Government have given attention to the Green-book recently published by the Italian Government, containing correspondence relative to Italian proceedings in Africa; (2) whether, on 19th February 1896, Her Majesty's Government submitted confidentially to the Italian Ambassador in London the draft of a Dispatch proposed to be sent by Lord Salisbury in reply to a letter from Ras Mangasha, the son of King John of Abyssinia; (3) whether, at the request of the Italian Ambassador in London, Her Majesty's Government corrected the draft Dispatch, and on 28th February 1896 submitted to the Ambassador another and different draft, containing the declaration that Italy is the friend and ally of this country; (4) whether the consent of Her Majesty's Government to the publication of its Dispatches and drafts was asked for and obtained by the Italian Government before publishing the same; and, (5) whether Her Majesty's Government propose to lay before the House the correspondence relative to the Italian operations in Africa, including any Dispatches which passed between the Italian Government and Lord Rosebery's administration?

* MR. CURZON

The answer to the first and second paragraphs is in the affirmative. In answer to the third pargraph, Her Majesty's Government is on friendly terms with the Government of Italy, and also with the Government of Abyssinia; but it would clearly be improper that we should at the present juncture lay before the House the language which we have used in any attempts we may have made to improve the relations of those two Powers. The answer to the fourth paragraph is in the negative. In reply to the fifth paragraph I have to say that the present opportunity is not a fitting one for laying Papers on the Table of the House dealing with operations still pending. When peace is restored the Government will be happy to consider what Papers can properly be laid.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

With regard to the third paragraph of the Question, I think there is some confusion. May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can answer categorically that paragraph?

* MR. CURZON

That is the paragraph I have already answered and no further reply is necessary. [Laughter.]

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

That is no answer at all.