§ Mr. DILLONI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a telegram published this morning from Sheik Ali Youssef, president of the Red Crescent Society of Cairo, stating that the Italian Government have withdrawn permission for the Red Crescent expedition from Cairo to land in Tripoli, and that this expedition has been organised to succour 527 the wounded on both sides in the war; and whether he will immediately cable to Cairo to ascertain whether the allegations contained in this telegram are correct; and, if they are, whether he will remonstrate with the Italian Government, and ask them to allow the expedition to proceed by the shortest route to the seat of war?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)I am sorry to say that notice of the hon. Gentleman's question had not reached my right hon. Friend when he left the Foreign Office, and, although he went back to try to discover what the question was and to frame an answer to it, he has not been able to do so.
§ Mr. DILLONWill the hon. Gentleman urge the Foreign Secretary at least to cable to Cairo and ascertain whether the statement is true or not? I only put the question because the matter appears to be one of really extreme urgency.
§ Mr. ACLANDI will convey the hon. Member's desire to the Foreign Secretary.