HC Deb 13 July 1938 vol 338 cc1304-5
27. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Italian forces have recently occupied a post in British territory on the Eastern shore of Lake Rudolf (Kenya Colony); and what steps he is taking in the matter?

Mr. M. MacDonald

A post was established by the local Italian authorities in October, 1937, in the situation mentioned by the hon. Member; but, on the matter being brought to the notice of the Italian Government, instructions were immediately given for it to be withdrawn. A further Italian post near the Eastern shore of Lake Rudolf has recently been reported, and is at present the subject of discussion with the Italian Government.

Mr. Pritt

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information about similar activities on the Western shore of the lake?

Mr. MacDonald

I have no information, but there have been some cases where, by inadvertence and lack of knowledge of the run of the frontier, posts have been established just across the frontier, but in every case, on the attention of the Italian authorities being drawn to it, those posts have been withdrawn. Beyond that, I have no information.

Mr. Pritt

Will the right hon. Gentleman watch the new inadvertence on the Western shore, if it be the case, which might involve inadvertence through the Sudan and into Egypt?

Sir A. Sinclair

Has not the right hon. Gentleman said that, in spite of previous inadvertences having been repaired, a further case of inadvertence has occurred in the same district, and that there are now posts there?

Mr. MacDonald

This is a case of one post, which has been reported, but I can say that we have taken the matter up with the Italian authorities in Rome.

Sir A. Sinclair

Have they inadvertently gone to the place where the previous cases of inadvertence occurred?

Mr. MacDonald

No, Sir. This is a different part.

Mr. Pritt

Has the right hon. Gentleman any suspicion whether this inadvertence means operating in advance their side of the frontier rectifications under their share of the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

Mr. MacDonald

No, Sir. I cannot add anything more regarding this matter, as it is under discussion.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember the inadvertence that happened at Walwal?