§ 27. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Prime Minister whether Ethiopia is to continue to be recognised by His Majesty's Government as a member of the League of Nations?
§ Mr. ButlerThe question whether Ethiopia is or is not a member of the League of Nations is one which can only be settled by the League itself.
§ Mr. MacMillanHow is it possible for the British Government to treat Ethiopia as though she were not a member of the League of Nations and still say it is bound to abide by or await the decision of the League as a whole as to whether Ethiopia is to continue or cease to be a member of the League?
§ Mr. ButlerIf the hon. Gentleman will refer to the proceedings of the League last May, he will see that it was generally agreed that the League should leave each member free to take what steps it thought fit about the recognition of Italian sovereignty in Ethiopia.
§ Mr. MacMillanIn that case, cannot the hon. Gentleman tell us whether the States are free to give their opinions as to whether the Ethiopians should still be recognised as being in the League; and what prevents him informing the House as to what is the opinion of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ButlerWe must wait for the matter to be raised at the League.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it not a fact that there was no agreement in the Council of the League last May upsetting the unanimous resolution arrived at in 1932?
§ Sir A. SinclairHave the Government waited for this subject to be raised? Have they not in fact recognised Italian sovereignty over Abyssinia before the Assembly of the League has given them leave?
§ Mr. ButlerThat again is broader than the question on the Paper. I said that after the meeting of the League in May each State felt itself entitled to take independent action if it wanted to do so. We took action, of which the House is well aware.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it not a fact that there was no decision whatever taken in May which entitled anybody to take independent action?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir, that is quite wrong.