HC Deb 29 April 1936 vol 311 cc885-8
2. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government propose to take any action with a view to supplying to Abyssinia, either through the League of Nations or the Red Cross, gas masks, chemical materials for the treatment of gas-inflicted wounds, or to send a technical medical mission, in view of the suffering caused by Italian gas attacks made in breach of treaty engagements?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that appropriate medical supplies for the treatment of sufferers, or funds for their purchase, are being forwarded to Abyssinia by various societies and private organisations in this country. I need hardly add that humanitarian efforts of this description have the warm approval of His Majesty's Government.

Miss RATHBONE

Has the right hon. Gentleman reason to believe that the amounts collected in connection with these matters would have served this purpose; and will he consider whether some of the profits made by the Government on Anglo-Iranian oil shares might not suitably be devoted to the purpose?

Mr. MANDER

Will the right hon. Gentleman watch the position carefully and if there is any lack of adequate supplies, will he see whether the Government cannot do something?

Mr. EDEN

We have been interesting ourselves in this matter and have been in touch with these organisations.

3. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government are prepared to propose at the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the League of Nations action to prevent the passage of poison gas through the Suez Canal to be used, in breach of treaty engagements, against the population, civil and military, of Abyssinia by the Italian forces?

Mr. EDEN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks).

Mr. MANDER

But surely the Government are not going to be content with merely drawing the dividends on the carriage of poison gas through the Suez Canal? Surely, they are going to do a great deal more than that?

Mr. EDEN

There is a question about that on the Paper.

Miss WILKINSON

Will the Government not use the extra amount which they are receiving for the carriage of poison gas to buy gas masks for the Abyssinians?

4. Brigadier-General SPEARS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether chemicals necessary for the production of poison gas borne on ships passing through the Suez Canal are subject to a charge; and, if so, what is the revenue of the Suez Canal Company from this source since the commencement of the Italo-Abyssinian war?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that Canal dues are assessed by the Suez Canal Company on the tonnage of the vessel passing through the Canal, whether laden or in ballast, and not on the goods carried. I regret therefore that the information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available.

Brigadier-General SPEARS

What is the purpose, then, of asking what specific goods are carried? There must be some purpose in obtaining that information.

Mr. LEACH

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what amount of profit has accrued to the Government by reason of the heavy increase in Italian ships passing through the Canal?

5. Brigadier-General SPEARS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the restrictions on transport of munitions for the Abyssinian forces on the Jibuti railway; and whether there have been any communications between the Abyssinian and French Governments on this matter, or between His Majesty's Government and the French Government, in view of the fact that such restriction is contrary to the terms of the 1930 Treaty between Abyssinia, France, Great Britain and Italy?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that the French authorities at Jibuti have not forwarded to their destination two small consignments of arms ordered by the Abyssinian Government and shipped from German ports. No communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the French Government on this subject, but I cannot say whether there have been any between France and Abyssinia.

Brigadier-General SPEARS

As we are pledged by the Treaty of 1930 to see that Abyssinia receives the arms necessary for her defence, is it not the duty of the Government to investigate the position and to see that they are getting the necessary supplies?

Mr. EDEN

My hon. and gallant Friend appreciates, I am sure, the fact that there is a practical as well as a legal side to this question. In fact, Abyssinia has been receiving certain supplies along this railway, whereas her other communications have been cut. I think the matter might be left to the Abyssinian Government.

Mr. MANDER

Are we to understand from the reply, that apart from these two small shipments, the French Government have been allowing the passage of munitions along this railway to Abyssinia all the time?

Mr. EDEN

No, I would not care to make that deduction.

Mr. ATTLEE

Is it not a fact that every possible obstacle has been placed in the way of munitions travelling up to this area?

Mr. EDEN

That does not apply to British territories.

Brigadier-General SPEARS

As we are signatories of the Treaty of 1930, which undertakes that the Abyssinians shall receive the amount of munitions necessary for the defence of that country, is it not our duty to investigate the position and to see that they receive the supplies?

Mr. EDEN

What I suggested that my hon. and gallant Friend should consider was whether his suggestion is in the interests of Abyssinia.

24. Mr. BELLENGER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many labourers have been recruited from Malta for service with the Italian Army in East Africa?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

So far as can be ascertained, none have been recruited.