§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps, and, if so, whether he can state their nature, are being taken to protect the northern frontier of Kenya in the event of war between Italy and Abyssinia, and in that case whether the British Government or the Kenya Government will be expected to defray the cost of the extra military precautions entailed?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe measures to be taken in the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers are under active review by His Majesty's Government, in consultation with the Acting-Governor of Kenya. The military forces at the Colonial Government's disposal have been partially redistributed, in view of possible contingencies on the frontier, but it has been considered unnecessary to reinforce them. The cost of such measures as have hitherto been taken is inconsiderable, and will be met from Colonial revenue.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the Sudanese Government to protect its frontiers in the case of war between Italy and Abyssinia, especially in view of the importance of avoiding any unrest among the natives in the Sudan?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt has not been thought necessary up to the present to reinforce 1057W the normal garrison maintained in time of peace in the Sudan, but the situation on the frontier is being closely watched. No reports of unrest among the natives have been received by His Majesty's Government, who are satisfied that the necessary steps have been taken by the Sudan Government for the maintenance of order.