§ 10. Mr. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the demonstrations which took place in the ex-Italian colony of Eritrea in January and February of this year, in favour of reunion of this territory with Ethiopia; and whether, in fulfilment of the promises made in R.A.F. leaflets dropped in Eritrea, the Government will now declare its intention that the principles of the Atlantic Charter shall govern any decisions concerning the future administration of these African territories now liberated from Italian rule, and the occupants given full and free opportunity of indicating their desires in this connection.
§ Mr. LawI am aware that interest of the kind indicated by the hon. Member has been evinced in certain quarters in Eritrea. As regards the second part of the Question, the future of Eritrea must await consideration by the United Nations, at the conclusion of peace.
Mr. AstorHas not the Foreign Secretary said that in no circumstances is Italy going to get her colonies back; and would there not be widespread opposition to the re-establishment of Italy on our communications through the Red Sea?
§ Mr. HyndHas not the right hon. Gentleman misread the second part of my Question, which asks not whether the United Nations shall come to any ex parte decision, but whether the principles of the Atlantic Charter shall be applied to these territories?
§ Mr. LawNo, Sir, I did not misread the. Question; I would point out that we are not the sole signatories of the Atlantic Charter. The United Nations as a whole are signatories. It is a matter for the 1726 United Nations as a whole, and not for us alone.
§ Mr. Ivor ThomasIs my right hon. Friend aware that the union of Eritrea and Abyssinia has not existed since the shadowy days of the 16th century; and will he do his best to save the Emperor of Ethiopia from his friends in this country?