§ 5. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister the strength of the Italian forces at present in Libya, and the strength of such forces at the time the conversations between the British ambassador and Count Ciano commenced in Rome in March, 1938?
§ Mr. ButlerThe Italian forces in Libya consisted in March, and still consist, of two army corps each of two divisions, and of the equivalent of a division of native troops. Owing to the fact that reliefs have been in progress I cannot state the strength of these formations, but there is good reason to believe that the signature of the Anglo-Italian agreement of 16th April has been followed by a marked reduction in the number of effectives.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that in this Agreement the Italian Government agreed to reduce their forces by not less than 1,000 effectives per week? In view of that fact, should there not have been a reduction of at least 30,000; and does not the Minister's answer suggest that this has not been brought about?
§ Mr. ButlerWe think that there has been a marked reduction in the number of effectives in Libya.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that the Minister has just stated that there are still two army corps in Libya, and does that not constitute a breach of the Agreement?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir: I said that I could not give the number of effectives in those formations, but we consider that there has been a marked reduction in them, the cadres remain.
§ Mr. HendersonWill the Minister ask for the number that are now in Libya?
§ Mr. ButlerI could not guarantee to get the exact information asked for.