§ 1. Mr. RILEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the League of Nations is now applying against Italy through the member States all the sanctions-powers provided in Article 16 of the Covenant; and, if not, what further sanctions can still be applied?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The sanctions which are at present being applied may be briefly described as consisting of the prohibition of credits to Italy, the prohibition of the importation of Italian goods into the countries which have adopted this particular sanction, and the prohibition of the supply to Italy of arms and certain other articles of particular importance for the conduct of military operations. It would be open to the Co-ordinating Committee, should it consider this course desirable, to propose to the members of the League the adoption of any other measures which fall within the compass of Article XVI, paragraph 1 of the Covenant.
§ Mr. RILEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what stands in the way of further sanctions being applied now?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I should require notice of that question.
§ 4. Mr. GARRO-JONESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, with a view to assisting hon. Members to visualise the proposed terms of settlement of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, he will endeavour to arrange, before the question is next discussed in the House, for a marked map to be hung in the Library?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)Yes, Sir, the necessary steps have been taken to give effect to the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the Noble Lord see that a similar map is hung in the Cabinet room in Downing Street?
§ 5. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Council of the League of Nations the inclusion in the terms of peace of compensation by Italy for the injury or death, through the agency of her forces, of unarmed persons of either European or native origin?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThis seems to be a point which ought properly to be left till the opening of detailed negotiations for the restoration of peace. It will then be for the parties immediately concerned to put forward claims for reparation.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould the League support them?
§ 14. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the arrangements respecting the concessions asked for by the British and Italian Governments regarding Lake Tsana and the railway connecting Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, as outlined in the notes exchanged between His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador in Rome and Signor Mussolini, on 14th-20th December, 1925, are still in force; and, if not, whether the League of Nations has been notified by either of the interested parties that the proposals presented 10 years ago have now lapsed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.
§ 15. Sir FRANCIS ACLANDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Dominions were consulted before terms of settlement were suggested to the Italian and Ethiopian Governments last week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. The Dominions Governments have, so far as possible, been kept informed of all developments as they have arisen.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESIs it not a fact that these proposals leaked out before the British Cabinet was consulted?
§ 16. Sir F. ACLANDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was intended to impose as a condition to Ethiopia obtaining a corridor to the sea that no railway should be built along it; and, if so, whether this was with his knowledge or with the consent of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will deal with this and other matters arising out of the proposals for a peace negotiation in to-morrow's Debate. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to wait till then.
§ 22. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any intimation has been received from the French Government as to whether or not, in the event of an Italian attack on British naval forces, the French 1728 Admiralty would be in a position to give immediate effective support to the British Navy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs has previously been stated, assurances of French support in the event of an emergency such as that mentioned by the hon. Member have been received from the French Government.
§ 23. Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to his telegram to His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa instruction the latter to press upon the Emperor advantages to Abyssinia contained in the Paris peace proposals, to what clauses in those proposals these instructions refer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe instructions to His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa covered the proposals as a whole, and were not confined to any specific part or clause of the proposals. They emphasised the opportunity for negotiation thus afforded.
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the Prime Minister say whether those instructions were sent by the Foreign Secretary himself or by the Foreign Office in London?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must have notice of that question.
§ 24. Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary:)f State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of troops which have left Italy for Abyssinia since the receipt of the Paris peace proposals by the Italian Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ 25. Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply to the Paris peace proposals has been received from the Abyssinian Government or any request for their elucidation from the Italian Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that the Abyssinian Government have communicated direct to the League of Nations certain observations regarding the proposals. No reply has, as yet, been received from the Italian Government, but on 16th December the Italian Ambassador in London called at the Foreign 1729 Office with a view to obtaining certain elucidations on points of detail. These proposals are, however, to be considered by the League Council which meets to-day, and His Excellency has been so informed.