§ 9. Sir OWEN PHILIPPSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the disquietude still existing in Portugal as a result of the Labour party's proposal to internationalise Central Africa; and whether, with a view to allaying such disquietude, he will make a clear statement that His Majesty's Government are in no way responsible for such a proposal?
§ Lord R. CECILYes, Sir, I am aware of the state of feeling in Portugal on this question, and am glad to have this opportunity of saying that His Majesty's. Government neither have, nor could have, any responsibility for proposals designed to deprive Portugal of any of her Colonies. Great Britain has promised to defend and protect the Portuguese Colonies against all enemies.