§ LORD NOEL-BUXTONasked His Majesty's Government whether they can furnish information as to the number of British citizens still remaining in Abyssinia; whether the representatives of British religious missions are allowed to exercise their functions; whether His Majesty's Legation is permitted to function with the protection of the customary escort; and whether the Sudan and Kenya Governments will be instructed to take steps to prevent a recrudescence of the slave trade in the neighbourhood of the Abyssinian frontier.
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§ VISCOUNT HALIFAXThe noble Lord will appreciate that it is very difficult to arrive at a reliable estimate of the number of British subjects at present in Abyssinia, where communications, never easy at any time, have been rendered still more difficult by recent events in that country. In these circumstances precise information as to the number of British residents is hard to come by. I am afraid, therefore, that it would only be misleading for me to commit myself to a definite figure. At the outbreak of hostilities 1,200 would have been a rough estimate, to include British Indians and British-protected persons. The number is now probably somewhat reduced. If, however, the noble Lord is referring in his question to the number of European people of British nationality in Abyssinia, these comprise for the most part the members of British religious missions which are working in the country and who number perhaps rather under one hundred. So far as these missions are concerned, I have no reason for thinking that their work is being interfered with by any authority in Abyssinia, although, owing to the disturbed state of the country, they are no doubt having to work under difficult404WA conditions and some have been evacuated.
With regard to the third part of the noble Lord's question, there has been no change in regard to the functioning of His Majesty's Legation at Addis Ababa. The Legation continues to carry out its normal duties under the protection of a guard which, as the noble Lord is aware, was strengthened last September by the addition of a company of Indian infantry.
As regards the slave trade, I cannot, of course, answer for the present situation in Abyssinia, although it is always possible that in areas which, owing to the present crisis, may fall into disorder a recrudescence of the slave trade may take place. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government, however, no special instructions to the Sudan and Kenya Governments on this subject are necessary; His Majesty's Government are confident that those Governments are fully able to deal with any cases of slave-raiding which may be attempted across their frontiers from Abyssinian territory.
House adjourned at twenty-three minutes past six o'clock.