*CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state if the Government officials up country in Somaliland will be allowed a money equivalent for furniture, considering that the officials on the coast are allowed furniture.
§ THE. UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR. THE COLONIES (MR. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)Having regard to the facts that the salaries of the political staff in Somaliland are fixed on a more liberal scale than those of the administrative officers on the coast, that their duties require them continually to move about among the tribes, and that camp equipment and sufficient transport and travelling allowances are issued to them, the Secretary of State does not see any good reason for adopting the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member. Lord Elgin has no knowledge of any promise made by the Colonial Office to the assistant political officers that they would either receive furniture or an equivalent, and I should be glad if the hon. and gallant Member would furnish me with information which would make it possible to trace any communication bearing on the subject.