§ 7. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD - BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement with regard to the settlement of the Jubaland question with Italy; whether the Milner or the Scialoja line has been adopted; and whether this has been settled in conjunction with the question of the Dodecanese?
§ Mr. PONSONBYSo far as territorial arrangements in Jubaland are concerned, agreement was reached between Lord Milner and Signor Scialoja in April, 1920. The Milner and Scialoja lines are therefore identical. The negotiations have not yet reached a conclusion because more extensive territorial claims in Juba-land have been advanced by the Italian Government, to which His Majesty's Government do not see their way to accede. Any settlement will, of course, have to include an equitable arrangement. respecting the connected question of the ultimate status of the Dodecanese.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs there any prospect of an immediate settlement of the question?
§ Mr. PONSONBYNo. I do not think that there is any prospect of an immediate settlement.
§ Mr. JOHN HARRISBefore any agreement for the transfer of these territories is reached, will the peoples of these 1719 countries be consulted, or will a settlement be arrived at without any reference whatever to the inhabitants?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs it not advisable to come to a settlement as soon as possible, with a view to improving our relations with Italy?
§ Sir SYDNEY HENNWill His Majesty's Government take care that any settlement arrived at will include compensation to any British subjects or British companies operating in the territory transferred from one country to another?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.