§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any communications have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and Italy in regard to the Egyptian Force that is to enter the Soudan by which aid may be afforded to the Italian Forces now engaged in war with Abyssinia and certain Dervishes who are besieging Kassala; whether any pledges have been given by Her Majesty's Government to Italy in regard to assistance; and, whether he intends to lay Papers in respect to this matter upon the Table of the House?
MR. CURZONYes, Sir, communications have taken place between the Italian Ambassador and Her Majesty's Government in regard to these matters, and also between the Italian Government and Sir Clare Ford. The Italian Government have stated that they will 1172 view with pleasure any steps taken for an advance by the Egyptian Government in the direction of Dongola, which cannot be otherwise than advantageous to the position of the Italian Forces at Kassala; but no pledges have been given in regard to the assistance, and there are no papers which could at this stage be laid on the Table.