§ 6. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether he has procured, or will procure, an estimate of the number of natives of Africa who have received military training and who are now in training, and who are subjects, respectively, of Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Portugal; and whether he will propose through the League of Nations, or otherwise, the cessation of training and the complete disbandment of such native African troops?
§ Mr. ButlerAs regards the first part of the question, the most recent information available is to be found in the Armaments Year Book for 1937 issued by the League of Nations, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. So far as territories under the sovereignty of His Majesty are concerned, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to abandon the training of natives for the internal security and local defence of the respective territories, and they are therefore precluded from making any proposal on the lines indicated.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the hon. Gentleman admit that the training of black natives in Africa is extremely dangerous to themselves and to the world; and will 1186 he at least take some initiative in this matter and try to relieve the natives of this acute disease of militarism?
§ Mr. ButlerI have given our reasons for not being able to accept the suggestion.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the hon. Gentleman think they are sufficient reasons and good reasons?
§ Mr. ButlerI think they are very good reasons.