§ Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for War whether we are still supporting with money, food and shelter the Italian non-combatants, women and children in Abyssinia; what the monthly charge amounts to; how long this is to continue; and whether they will be employed somewhere in useful work?
§ Mr. SandysFor reasons of safety, Italian non-combatants in Ethiopia have been segregated in certain localities, and His Majesty's Government have in consequence contributed to their support in so far as may be necessary. It is not possible to give any estimate of the cost at this stage. The answers to the last two parts of the Question depend on the result of the negotiations regarding the repatriation of Italian civilians to which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary referred in his answer to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) yesterday.