§ 70. Mr. ROBERT HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information showing whether the League of Nations is satisfied that the Abyssinian Government are fulfilling their undertaking on joining the League to endeavour to secure the complete suppression of slavery in Abyssinia; and, if the League is not satisfied, whether His Majesty's Government propose to institute an independent inquiry into the matter?
§ Mr. THURTLEBefore this question is answered, Mr. Speaker, may I submit that, in view of the fact that it raises 1374 by innuendo a reflection on a foreign Government, it is an improper question to appear on the Order Paper?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI noticed this question, and I thought the object of it was just the reverse, namely, to give an opportunity of dealing with something which had been said outside.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)So far as I am aware, no steps have yet been taken by the League to verify Abyssinian compliance with the terms of their undertaking. While His Majesty's Government cannot intervene in the internal affairs of a State which is a fellow member, the League can rely upon their warm support in any action it may decide to take to assist the Abyssinian Government to fulfil its pledges.