HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 cc618-9
11. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the allegations regarding the killing of certain members of the Esa tribe of Somalis by Ethiopian police in February of this year are now in dispute between the Ethiopian and British Governments; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of his intervention with the Ethiopian Government.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Her Majesty's Ambassador delivered a protest to the Ethiopian Government on 20th July reserving the right to claim compensation on behalf of relatives of those members of the Esa tribe who were killed in the incident and who enjoyed British protection. In their reply the Ethiopians denied that any British-protected Esa were involved in the incident.

Mr. Awbery

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us why a protest was made to the Ethiopian Government when the two tribes involved were Ethiopian ones, living in Ethiopia and governed by its laws? Will he now, in view of that fact, withdraw the protest which he has made to Ethiopia?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

No. The information that we had was that this party contained a number of Essa tribesmen from the British Protectorate.

Mr. Awbery

If the Somalis who were attacked were British subjects, why were they so far in Ethiopian territory?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Because they have certain rights to go backwards and forwards over the boundary, by treaty, as they are nomadic.