§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the theft of a diplomatic bag from a British messenger on the train from Addis Ababa to Jibuti recently; and under whose control the railway in Ethiopia now is?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks), to which I have nothing to add, except that my right hon. Friend has now received a report that the bag has arrived at Jibuti. As regards the second part of the question, the railway is, according to my right hon. Friend's information, still operated by the staff of the French Railway Company.
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§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire as to the reason for the expulsion of the "Times" correspondent, Mr. Steer, and others from Addis Ababa by the Italian military occupying forces; and under what circumstances British journalists can reside there and freely carry on their work?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEHis Majesty's Ambassador at Rome is being instructed to ascertain from the Italian Government the reasons which led the Italian military authorities to issue an order of expulsion against Mr. Steer. My right hon. Friend knows of no other case of the expulsion of British subjects.
§ Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is contemplated in response to the Italian suggestion that the extra British guard at the legation at Addis Ababa should now be withdrawn?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was returned yesterday to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson), to which I have nothing to add.