§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any, and, if so, how many additional troops have been sent to the Aden Hinterland; and at what cost; and how long are they expected to remain there?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)The Dublin Regiment, which would have left Aden in the ordinary course on being relieved by the Hampshire Regiment, has been detained there in connection with the delimitation. In addition, a regiment of Native Infantry and two Mountain Batteries, one Native and one British, have been sent from India to Aden. I am at present unable to state the cost. I hope that a settlement may be shortly arrived at which will enable the additional troops to be withdrawn.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSECannot the noble Lord give any indication as to how long the troops will be detained?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe time the troops will be detained depends on the settlement of the question.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESAre these warlike operations under the control of the India Office or of the War Office?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI demur to the statement that they are warlike operations; but they are under the control of the India Office.