HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc159-60W
56. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that a large proportion of the native quarter of Massawa was burnt during the British administration of Eritrea, that upwards of 70 steel-reinforced concrete buildings were destroyed by the Administration, and that a dredger, a floating dock, a cement factory and other installations were sold overseas, Ethiopia being excluded from the bargain sale, if Her Majesty's Government will make a gift of British shipping to the Ethiopian Government as a partial recompense for these losses.

Mr. Nutting

The imputations in the first part of the Question are completely unfounded. The British Administration in Eritrea were not responsible for improper demolitions and disposals in Massawa; nor was Ethiopia wrongfully deprived of benefit.

The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

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