§ 1. Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information in regard to the serious outbreak of fire at Massawa, Ethiopia; whether he can state the cause of the fire and the number of people killed; and whether any British subjects or other Europeans have been killed or injured?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)I have no information other than that which has appeared in the press concerning the cause or the effects of the fire alleged to have occurred at the port of Massawa, but I have no reason to suppose that it resulted in any British casualties. I would explain that Massawa is in the Italian colony of Eritrea, and that it has been occupied by Italy since 1883.
2. Mr. VYVYAN ADAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Majesty's Government will give permission to British civilians to proceed at their own risk by air or other wise through the Sudan to Gore to in quire about the conditions prevailing in Western Abyssinia, and to advise and assist the authorities in control there in maintaining law and order and in preventing inter-tribal friction? and whether the Government will permit free communication by telegraph or otherwise between such inquirers or advisers and London?
§ Viscount CRANBORNENo, Sir. His Majesty's Consul at Gore, in whose relations with such local native authorities as exist my right hon. Friend has every confidence, and whose reports described 1856 the local situation very clearly, has not asked for assistance. No useful purpose would therefore be served by adding to his already heavy responsibilities, at a time when conditions in Western Abyssinia are so disturbed as to threaten the security of foreigners, and where communications are unsafe.
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI do not think so. An answer has been given with regard to these conditions on several occasions, and it represents the view of His Majesty's Government.