§ 41. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Note which has been sent by the Regent of Abyssinia to the Secretariat of the League of Nations, protesting against the recently-concluded Anglo-Italian Agreement relating to his country and stating that the Agreement was concluded without the knowledge of the Abyssinian Government and is opposed by that Government, will be laid before Parliament and whether he proposes to make any comment upon it?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe correspondence is at present incomplete, but I shall be glad to publish it when it is concluded.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to answer the last part of the question, as to when he is prepared to make some comment on the matter?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI understand that the matter is to be introduced into Debate this afternoon, and I shall then have the opportunity of making a fuller statement.
Captain BENNWill the correspondence include the letter of the Regent of the 15th June, which I understand was sent?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThat is the letter to the League?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI should, of course, have to have the assent of the Abyssinian Government to its publication,, but subject to that there is no objection.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo I understand that all the papers will be laid, and that they will include the correspondence with the French Government, provided that Government do not object?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, I do not say that all the correspondence that has passed will be found there, but there will be the Notes to the Abyssinian Government and the communications from the Abyssinian Government, the communications we received from the League and our communications to the League.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing the correspondence with the French Government?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not think there is occasion to do that. I will see what correspondence there is, but I am sure there is nothing material.
§ Colonel DAYWill the correspondence with the Italian Government be published?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am endeavouring to satisfy the curiosity of hon. Gentlemen, but it is unwise for me to attempt to answer detailed questions without notice. The British Government have nothing whatever to conceal in this matter, as I hope I shall make plain in the course of the discussion which an hon. and gallant Member opposite proposes to initiate.
§ Colonel DAYHas there not been a lot of correspondence between Signor Mussolini and our Ambassador at Rome on this subject?