§ 13. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the expulsion of British missionaries from Abyssinia?
§ Viscount CranborneI regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement. The delay is due to the fact that the Italian Government have not yet replied to questions which His Majesty's Government have addressed to them on this subject. I cannot regard this delay as satisfactory, and the House may rest assured that His Majesty's Government 9 will continue to press the matter urgently upon the attention of the Italian Government.
§ 6. Mr. Lunn (for Mr. Morgan Jones)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House with regard to the position of affairs in Abyssinia?
§ Viscount CranborneSince the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member on this subject on 19th January last, the Italian forces have further extended the area of their occupation in Abyssinia. Reliable information is difficult to obtain, but, broadly speaking, the position appears to be that the Italian Government are now in occupation of the whole of Abyssinia with the exception of a district in the south-west of the country lying to the west of Maji, and a small area between Beni Shangul and Gambeila adjoining the Sudan frontier.
§ Mr. LunnWill the Noble Lord make clear what our Government's attitude is towards Abyssinia's connection with the League of Nations?
§ Viscount CranborneThe hon. Member had better put that question down. This question refers to the position in Abyssinia and not to its connection with Geneva.