§ 19. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House the terms of the motion to be laid before the Council of the League of Nations by His Majesty's Government concerning the recognition of Italian sovereignty in Abyssinia?
§ The Prime MinisterAs hon. Members are aware, His Majesty's Government in 493 the United Kingdom have requested that the question of "the consequences arising out of the existing situation in Ethiopia" shall be included in the agenda of the forthcoming Council meeting, but His Majesty's Government are not yet in a position to say how this question will be dealt with at Geneva.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDo we understand that the Government do not intend to lay a definite motion before the Council?
§ The Prime MinisterNo; I did not say that.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennHow do the Government propose to ascertain the real facts as regards the hold on Abyssinia?
§ The Prime MinisterThat seems to be another question.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf there is to be a motion, ought we not to know its terms?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not know whether there will be a motion or not.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf there is no motion, how is it proposed to release members of the League from the obligations which were declared to exist by the unanimous vote of the Assembly in 1932?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not in a position to say how the position will be dealt with at Geneva.