§ Mr. RILEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of British subjects at present in Abyssinia engaged in Red Cross or missionary work and the number who have been killed or wounded since the commencement of hostilities in November, 1935?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEPrior to the outbreak of hostilities in October, 1935, there were approximately 163 British and British-protected missionaries working in Abyssinia. Since that date certain missionary personnel have left the country, while there has been a certain influx of new workers sent out to undertake special war relief work. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the precise extent to which the total number of missionaries has been affected by these movements. As regards Red Cross workers, I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 12th February to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander), in which it was stated that, excluding native dressers, transport drivers and other junior non-European personnel recruited in Kenya and British Somaliland, there were 19 British subjects serving in the British Red Cross hospital and other ambulance units, foreign and national, in Abyssinia. Since that date this figure has been reduced by one, through the death of Major Burgoyne, who was attached to an Ethiopian Red Cross Unit. I am not aware that any other casualties have occurred among British missionary or Red Cross workers.
§ Mr. LEWISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the present time, the importation of camels into Italian territory adjoining Abyssinia is permitted from any British territory?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEThe export of camels to any Italian territory from any British territory is prohibited.