§ 5. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the proposal recently made by the Dutch Government to the three Scandinavian Governments that they should join with the British and French Governments in recognising the Italian conquest of Ethiopia; and whether the Dutch Government acted with the approval and authority of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. EdenI understand that towards the end of last year the Netherlands Government consulted the Governments of the other Oslo Convention Powers on the possibility of reaching agreement on the terms of the letters of credence of their representatives in Rome, and that before taking any final step the Netherlands Government had intended to consult both His Majesty's Government and the French Government. The initiative in this matter lay exclusively with the Netherlands Government, and the reply, therefore, to the second part of the question is in the negative. The Netherlands Government have, however, recently informed His Majesty's Government officially of the initiative taken by them in this matter.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it still the policy of His Majesty's Government to refuse to recognise the Italian conquest of Ethiopia?
§ Mr. EdenThat is quite another question. The hon. Gentleman asked about the action of the Netherlands Government.
§ Mr. Hendersonrose——
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member's supplementary question does not arise out of the question on the Paper.