HC Deb 29 May 1936 vol 312 cc2379-80
6. Miss RATHBONE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it is at the request of His Majesty's Government that the visit of the Emperor of Ethiopia to this country is to be treated as being paid incognito; and, if so, what is the reason for the request.

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount Cranborne)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) to which I have nothing to add.

9. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will give an assurance that the Emperor of Abyssinia will be free, while in this country, to assist his country in any lawful manner; and whether he will be treated by the Government in the same manner as other crowned heads of states visiting this country incognito.

Viscount CRANBORNE

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville). I can assure the hon. Member that, during the unofficial visit which the Emperor is paying to this country at his own request, His Majesty will be granted all appropriate courtesies and facilities.

Mr. MANDER

I presume there will be no objection, for example, to the Emperor appealing to the people of this country to carry out their obligations under the Covenant to help his country?

Viscount CRANBORNE

That point has already been dealt with. The conditions have been stated in a previous question.

Miss RATHBONE

Will there be any objection to local authorities and voluntary bodies who wish to show honour to the Emperor by presenting him with addresses and so forth doing so?

Viscount CRANBORNE

I do not imagine there will be any difficulty about that.

Mr. MANDER

Do not the Government realise that it will be impossible for the most interesting person in England to be incognito?

15. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, whether the cost of the conveyance of the Emperor of Ethiopia from Palestine to Gibraltar in a British war ship will be a charge on British public funds?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)

Yes, Sir. The Royal Navy has always been pleased to perform these acts of courtesy and will, I hope, continue to do so.

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