HC Deb 14 February 1938 vol 331 cc1513-4
18. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the proposal of the Netherlands Government to the Oslo Powers that the Italian conquest of Ethiopia should be recognised, he will give an assurance to the House that His Majesty's Government are not considering any such recognition?

Mr. Eden

The attitude of His Majesty's Government still remains as explained in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams) on 5th May last.

Mr. Henderson

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that the recent scurrilous Italian Press attack made upon him as a result of his refusal to sacrifice League principles will have no effect on public opinion in this country?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Would it not be advantageous to have this vendetta ended, and to act in accordance with the realities of the situation?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House a pledge that he will not make a diplomatic bargain with the principle of international law, to which the United States Government attach particular importance?

Mr. V. Adams

How could it be advantageous for us to condone the collapse of the rule of law?

Sir A. Knox

Will the right hon. Gentleman leave the official Opposition to pursue this vendetta alone?

25. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can tell the House what information he has received concerning the passage of Italian troops through the Suez Canal on their way to Abyssinia?

Mr. Eden

I regret that I have no statement to make on this subject.

27. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that at present Ethiopian forces which enter British territory are immediately disarmed while Italian troops and arms for use in Abyssinia are regularly permitted to cross British territory, he will arrange that this difference in treatment shall no longer be permitted?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Italian troops and arms for use in Abyssinia are in general not permitted to cross British; territory. The only exception to this rule is that on an undelimited section of the northern frontier of Kenya, the Italian authorities have been permitted to use a track connecting two areas under Italian occupation. This permission has been granted without prejudice to the ultimate settlement of the question whether the track is in Kenya or Ethiopia.