§ 1. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what plans relating to an Italian attack upon Egypt or British territory came into the possession of the British Government in July, August, or September, 1935; what representations were made to the Italian Government on the matter; and what action was taken?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)The answer to the first part of the question is None, Sir. The second and third parts do not therefore arise.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the fact that the alleged incident is widely believed in the Army and Navy in the Mediterranean, and in Europe and America, will the Noble Lord give the widest publicity he can to his reply?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI hope that my answer will have done that.
§ Mr. MANDERDo I understand that at no time had the Government any expectation of an Italian attack on Egypt?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI have answered the question which the hon. Member put to me.
§ 3. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the 376 refusal of the British Government to recognise the Italian conquest of Abyssinia at the next meeting of the Assembly applies equally to the September meeting of the Assembly?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEThe policy of His Majesty's Government at the present meeting of the Assembly with regard to recognition of the Italian annexation of Abyssinia was defined by my right hon. Friend in answer to a question by the hon. Lady the Member for the Combined English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 22nd June. It is not possible or desirable to make pronouncements with regard to the policy to be followed at future meetings of the Assembly, until it is know what matters are likely to be raised at them.
§ Mr. MANDERDo I understand that the Government hold themselves free at the September meeting of the Assembly to recognise the Italian conquest of Ethiopia?
§ Viscount CRANBORNENo, Sir. The hon. Member must not read more into my answer than is in it.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs it not unreasonable to expect His Majesty's Government to maintain the same foreign policy for as long a period as three months?
§ 4. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what British representatives, diplomatic or consular, are at present in Ethiopia; to whom they are accredited; and whether any change is contemplated?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEHis Majesty's Legation at Addis Ababa is at present in the charge of Mr. Roberts, the First Secretary, as His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in the absence on leave of the Minister accredited to the Emperor. He is in contact with the Italian Command as representing the power in military occupation. The only Consular posts which are still open are the Consulates at Harar, under Mr. Chapman Andrews, and that at Gore, under Captain Erskine. Consular officers are not accredited to anyone, but these two officers are in contact with the local authorities who, in the case of Harar, are Italian, and in that of Gore, Abyssinian. No immediate change is in contemplation but the situation is under constant review.
§ Mr. MANDERDo I understand that the officer at Addis Ababa is accredited to the Emperor of Ethiopia?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEPerhaps the hon. Member will consider my answer.
§ 14. Mr. RILEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Italian Government has made any proposal to the League of Nations regarding the future government of Abyssinia, whether by voluntary mandate or otherwise; and whether he can state the terms of the Italian proposal?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI understand that a note addressed by the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs to the President of the Assembly of the League was circulated to the Assembly yesterday. The full official text has not yet reached me.
§ Mr. MARKHAM(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the occupation by the Italians of Moyale, a town shown as being in Kenya Colony, and whether he has a statement to make?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI understand that there are two places named Moyale, one of which is in Kenya and the other in Abyssinia. His Majesty's Government have received no report, either from the Governor of Kenya or from any other source, tending to confirm the report mentioned in my hon. Friend's question, though it may be that the Italian forces have occupied the town named Moyale in Abyssinia. There is no reason whatever to suppose that they have occupied Moyale in Kenya which is, moreover, a military post.
§ Mr. MARKHAMIs the Under-Secretary of State aware that the only Moyale mentioned on the official map issued by the Colonial Office is definitely shown as being in Kenya?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI understand that there is another town of that name which is in Abyssinia.
§ Mr. WISEIs it not the case that that is an extremely badly-surveyed part of the British Empire, and that it is perfectly easy for about 17 or 20 towns to be missed out from that particular map?