§ 39. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the practical closing of all climbing on the southern slopes of the Alps in Italian territory, near the Swiss and French frontiers, owing to the regulations issued by the Italian Government, he will make friendly representations to the Italian Government asking that the facilities formerly enjoyed by all climbers may be restored?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)No, Sir. The restriction of the movement of foreigners across the Italian frontier is a matter entirely within the competence of the Italian Government, and His Majesty's Government have no ground for representations. In this connection, I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Sir M. Conway) on the 25th June. I may add that according to a list communicated to His Majesty's Government in September last, some 30 passes are open on the Swiss-Italian frontier alone. A similar list in respect of the Franco-Italian frontier is awaited.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs my right hon. Friend not aware that only the easier passes, which are of very little interest to climbers, are open, and that the more difficult mountains are practically closed?