§ Mr. Mander (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the subject of the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the future of Abyssinia?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government would welcome the reappearance of an independent Ethiopian State and recognise the claim of the Emperor Haile Selassie to the throne. The Emperor has intimated to His Majesty's Government that he will need outside assistance and guidance. His Majesty's Government agree with this view and consider that any such assistance and guidance in economic and political matters should be the subject of international arrangement at the conclusion of peace. They reaffirm that they have themselves no territorial ambitions in Abyssinia. In the meanwhile the conduct of military operations by Imperial forces in parts of Abyssinia will require temporary measures of military guidance and control. These will be carried out in consultation with the Emperor, and will be brought to an end as soon as the situation permits.