HC Deb 21 May 1935 vol 302 cc940-2
39. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability, as a means of alleviating the tension between Abyssinia and Italy, of proposing to the Council of the League of Nations that certain areas between the territories of the two countries in Africa should be patrolled by an international force?

Mr. EDEN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to a similar question on 27th February last.

Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any communication has been received from the Italian Government with reference to the export of arms to Abyssinia; what rights Abyssinia possesses in the matter of the import of arms and whether these differ from those possessed by Italy and other countries; and whether any right is recognised for Germany to export arms to Abyssinia, and to what extent?

Mr. EDEN

In answer to the first part of the question:No communication on this subject has been received from the Italian Government. As regards the second part, the importation of arms, munitions and implements of war by Abyssinia is regulated by the Treaty signed in Paris on 21stAugust, 1930, by Ethiopia, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. This Treaty established a special regime for Ethiopia, whose position as an arms importing country accordingly differs from that of Italy, whose rights have not been similarly defined. As regards the third part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that Article 170 of the Treaty of Versailles pro hibits the manufacture for and export to foreign countries, from Germany, of arms, munitions and war material of every kind. This provision applies equally to Abyssinia as to all other countries.

Mr. MANDER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that provision has been observed in fact?

Mr. EDEN

I have no information to the contrary.

41. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the committee appointed at the last meeting of the Council of the League of Nations to advise appropriate sanctions in the event of unilateral repudiation of treaties will expedite their work in view of the threatened breach of the Covenant of the League of Nations by Italy in connection with Abyssinia?

Mr. EDEN

I see no reason to link the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia with the work of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers.