§ 43. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for War whether the population of Eritrea have permission to carry firearms and swords; and why members of the Muslim League were permitted to carry such weapons in the recent processions organised to manifest Eritrean opinion before the recent Four Power Deputies Commission of Inquiry, in consequence of which the Reunion to Ethiopia Party was obliged to withdraw their contingent and ask for a separate hearing by the Commission.
§ Mr. ShinwellEritreans are permitted to carry firearms only if they have been granted a licence by the British Military Administration. There is no regulation banning the wearing or carrying of ceremonial swords or spears. I am aware of no occasion during the Four Power Commission's visit to Eritrea when the Reunion to Ethiopia Party were obliged to withdraw their contingent owing to the aggressive attitude of another political party, nor am I aware of any occasion when they were not heard by the Commission at the same time as representatives of other political parties.