§ 17. Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that it is still the intention of His Majesty's Government to refuse recognition of the annexation of Abyssinia by Italy, or of the assumption by the King of Italy of the title of Emperor of Abyssinia?
§ Mr. EdenThe attitude of His Majesty's Government remains as explained in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) on 5th May.
§ Sir A. SinclairCan the Foreign Secretary assure the House that there will be no change in that attitude until the House of Commons has been consulted?
§ Mr. EdenWhat I said was:
My hon. Friend will, I am sure, understand that it is not possible for me to make a pronouncement on an issue which has not been raised, and which, if it were to be raised, would be a matter to be considered by the League as a whole."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th May, 1937; col. 1143, Vol. 323.]
§ Sir A. SinclairWill the right hon. Gentleman assure us that there will be, on the part of the Government, no initiative to alter that policy until the House of Commons has had an opportunity of discussing it?
§ Mr. EmmottIf the real obstacle to recognition is at Geneva, is it not high time for the League to take account of realities, and thereby deprive its enemies of one of their most potent weapons against it?