HC Deb 28 June 1939 vol 349 c384
1. Mr. Ammon

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to prevent the recruitment of natives of the British Sudan by the Italian authorities for use as troops in Abyssinia?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

As I stated in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 21st June, my Noble Friend had no reason to believe that any natives living in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan had been recruited for the Army in Italian East Africa. It has not, therefore, been necessary to take any steps to prevent such recruitment.

Mr. Ammon

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any further information since he gave that answer; and if not, will he look into such evidence as I have, if I bring it to him?

Mr. Butler

Certainly, I will examine any evidence that the hon. Member sends to me.

Miss Rathbone

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply refer also to natives who are normally resident in the British Sudan but who have gone for grazing purposes within Italian territory?

Mr. Butler

My information is in regard to those natives who are ordinarily resident in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.