§ 45. Mr. SANDYSasked the Prime Minister in view of his declaration on 18th April to the effect that collective security without military sanctions is unworkable and of the impracticability of imposing military sanctions at this stage of the Italo-Abyssinian war, whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to urge at Geneva the abandonment of economic sanctions?
§ The PRIME. MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)Future policy with regard to the Italo-Abyssinian dispute will be a matter for joint consideration by the States concerned at the forthcoming meeting of the League Council. I cannot make any further statement this afternoon.
§ Mr. SANDYSIn view of the fact that the Prime Minister's statement referred to differs materially from previous statements made by the Foreign Secretary, can the Prime Minister say whether this denotes a change of attitude on the part of His Majesty's Government towards the question of collective security?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to the answer I have given.
§ Mr. COCKSIs the Government's policy still to support the policy of collective dishonour? [Laughter.] Hon. Members may well laugh: there is no honour at all.
§ 64. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are satisfied that sanctions are achieving the purpose for which they were imposed; and, if not, whether they will urge at Geneva the reconsideration of the League's policy in the light of experience?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)The situation that has arisen as the result of recent events in Abyssinia will form the subject of joint consideration by the States concerned at the forthcoming meeting of the Council.