HC Deb 24 July 1940 vol 363 c761
1. Mr. Mander

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement about the situation in Abyssinia, and the position of the Emperor Haile Selassie?

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

The Emperor of Abyssinia has returned to Africa. As regards the situation in Ethopia, it would be premature to make any statement at the present time.

Mr. Mander

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that all possible moral and physical support will be given to the Emperor and his people as friends and Allies?

Mr. Butler

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I recently gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Wedgwood), in which I said that contact had been established and that all the details involved are under active consideration.

Mr. Mander

Did not my right hon. Friend say in that statement that he recognised the Emperor as an ally?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the terms of my statement, he will see exactly what I said.