HC Deb 13 April 1938 vol 334 cc1096-9
13. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister whether he will issue a White Paper containing full information concerning military and economic conditions in Ethiopia since the abandonment of sanctions against Italy in June-July, 1936, including reports received from the Governments of the Sudan, Kenya, and British Somaliland, and from His Majesty's consular and other representatives in Abyssinia and French Somaliland?

21. Mr. V. Adams

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received reports upon the conditions now obtaining on the Abyssinian-Sudanese boundaries; whether he will inquire as to the extent of unrest on the Abyssinian side; and whether he will publish reports at an early date?

22. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recent reports from Ethiopia indicate that Dankali country and Aussa and Gojjam provinces are completely free of Italians; that in Wollega province and in Begemder territory there are only two or three Italian garrisons, and in Tigre garrisons in only five towns; and whether in view of these conditions, as the military occupation of Ethiopia by Italy is not complete, he will reconsider his decision to raise the question of the recognition of the Italian conquest before the Council of the League?

Mr. Butler

Information about the situation in Abyssinia has from time to time been communicated to the House since 1936 in answers to questions, and I made a statement containing our latest information, including the position on the frontiers, last Monday. In the light of these communications His Majesty's Government are not prepared to issue a White Paper or to reconsider their decision to raise the question of the Italian occupation of Abyssinia before the Council of the League of Nations.

Miss Rathbone

In view of the Italian negotiations, is it not essential that the House should have the fullest possible information as to the actual position in Abyssinia? Is it not the case that the information hitherto afforded has been meagre in the extreme?

Mr. V. Adams

Arising out of Question 21, have we not patrols on the border, and have they not sent us information?

Mr. Butler

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Monday last. He will see that the status quo on the frontier has been maintained.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Have not the people of this country the right to know from the Government the real truth about the situation in Abyssinia before the Government commit the nation to a recognition of the Italian conquest of Abyssinia?

Mr. Butler

That is why so many answers have been given to so many questions on this subject.

Mr. W. Roberts

Is it not a fact that the resistance in Abyssinia at the moment is very much greater than at any time before?

14. Mr. V. Adams

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the proposed recognition of the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, consequent upon Italy's unprovoked aggression, cannot be reconciled with Article X of the Covenant of the League nor with the terms of the Briand-Kellogg Pact of Paris; and what action he proposes in the matter?

Mr. Butler

I do not accept the position as stated in the first part of the question. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Adams

May I ask why His Majesty's Government agreed to a resolution against the recognition of the Japanese conquest of Manchuria? Is not the principle precisely the same?

Mr. Benn

Does the hon. Gentleman say that the conquest of Abyssinia is not a breach of the Covenant?

Mr. Butler

I said no such thing, but what I said was that I did not accept the position as stated in the hon. Member's question.

Mr. Noel-Baker rose

——

Mr. Speaker

This is an abuse of supplementary questions.

Miss Rathbone

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, may I give notice that I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment?

15. Miss Rathbone

asked the Prime Minister whether he will assure the House that, in the course of the present negotiations, no proposals have been or will be discussed involving permission to the Italian Government or Italian financiers to obtain loans or credits from financial houses in Great Britain for the financing of military or economic developments in Abyssinia?

Mr. Butler

As stated by my right hon. Friend yesterday in reply to the Leader of the Opposition no statement can be made at present concerning the subjects of the Anglo-Italian conversations.

25. Mr. Edmund Harvey

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that a substantial area on the southern part of Abyssinia comes within the Conventional Basin, he is able to give an assurance that nothing in the proposed Anglo-Italian agreement will be done which would in any way prejudice the rights and privileges of all nations in this region; and whether he can state that an assurance will be obtained that the special sections of the Convention of St. Germain, which make the welfare of the inhabitants the first consideration of the administration, will be preserved?

Mr. Butler

I am aware of the points raised by my hon. Friend, but pending the conclusion and publication of the proposed Anglo-Italian agreement I am not prepared to anticipate the provisions of that agreement.

Mr. Boothby

When does my hon. Friend expect the agreement to be published?

Mr. Butler

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to previous replies given by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Benn

Will it be made clear to the Italian Government that nothing conclusive can be agreed on until the House has given its assent?

Mr. Butler

I have already said that any agreement to be made will have to be considered by the House.

Mr. Benn

That is not my question. Will the Italian Government be told that no agreement will be conclusive until this House has consented to it?

Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether any communication has been received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations with reference to the request of His Majesty's Government that the consequences arising out of the existing situation in Ethiopia shall be placed on the agenda of the Council of the League of Nations for its session next month; if so whether he will publish the text of this communication and whether he will give an undertaking that the Government will act in conformity with resolutions passed by the Assembly on 11th March, 1932, and 24th February, 1933, relating to the non-recognition of conquests effected in violation of the League Covenant?

The Prime Minister

The answer to the first part of the question is that the Secretary-General has addressed no communication to His Majesty's Government on this subject. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government have in no way changed their view of the importance of the principles enunciated in the Assembly Resolutions to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, but in their application to any case His Majesty's Government must be entitled to take into account the attitude of other Members of the League and the facts of the international situation.