3. Miss Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will inform the House of the present position of refugees from Abyssinia in British colonial and mandated territory; what is the total number of refugees from Abyssinia, including women and children; whether this number is increasing; and in what manner the needs of the refugees in British territory are being met.
Marquess of HartingtonThere are approximately the following numbers of Abyssinian refugees, including women and children, in Kenya, Somaliland, Aden, and Palestine:—
§ Kenya, 2,810 (exclusive of 485 deserters from the Italian army).
§ Somaliland, 1,348.
§ Aden, 32.
§ Palestine, 55.
§ Precise details are not available as to the exact number of women and children included in the above figures. It is not possible to say whether further numbers of refugees are likely to enter Kenya and Somaliland. No refugees have entered Somaliland since April, but a party of approximately 1,000 crossed into Kenya as recently as 13th July. The Governments of Kenya and Somaliland have made all necessary arrangements for the maintenance of the refugees in special refugee camps, while, in addition, financial assistance is being made available from unofficial sources for the purchase of clothing and simple comforts.