§ 21. Mr. GLAZEBROOKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in consideration of the fact that Abyssinia does not stand by the terms of the Brusels Treaty, it is possible to prohibit the importation of arms into that country?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)The Brussels Act provides that a territorial Power on the coast may stop, exceptionally and provisionally, the transit of arms and ammunition across its territory if, in consequence of inland disturbances or other serious danger, there is ground for fearing that the dispatch of arms and ammunition might compromise its own safety. This is actually being done by the French Government, through whose territory arms formerly reached Abyssinia.
§ 22. Mr. GLAZEBROOKasked whether arms imported by the French at Djibouti for the use of the Abyssinian Government find their way to Somaliland, British East Africa, and the Sudan; and, if so, what measures he proposes to take to stop this trade which imperils the peace of our protectorates?
§ Mr. ACLANDAccording to the information received by His Majesty's Government, arms imported at Djibouti for the use of the Abyssinian Government have in the past found their way into British Somaliland, British East Africa, and the Sudan, but since April of last year the Governor of the French Somali Coast has prohibited the transit of arms for Abyssinia, and I am assured that the French Colonial authorities are taking energetic steps to prevent the importation of all arms through Djibouti.
§ Mr. GLAZEBROOKMay I ask whether the Government have got information that arms are still going or have been during the last four months?
§ Mr. ACLANDI will make further inquiry if the hon. Member desires.
§ Colonel YATEHas the French Government prohibited the export of arms through Djibouti to Muscat?
§ Mr. ACLANDPerhaps the hon. Member would put down his question about export.