HC Deb 18 April 1904 vol 133 cc369-72
MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can give information as to the present military position in Somaliland.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has any official information showing that the Somali Mullah has escaped into Italian territory; and, if so, whether military operations will be prolonged; and will he state what is the estimated cost during the present financial year up to the 19th instant of the operations in Somaliland.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The Mullah has, we believe, escaped into Italian territory. He has sustained very severe losses in men and animals. The force under his command has been routed and driven out of the Protectorate and he is now practically without a following. In view of these circumstances, it has been decided to discontinue the military operations and to reduce the field force. Orders to this effect have been given. The cost of the operations during the present financial year up to the 19th instant may be estimated at about £50,000.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

What does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate will be the total cost of the operations within the financial year.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

There will be certain terminal charges, and I am having a calculation made as to whether there will be any other charges. The circumstances which permitted us to make this change only occurred very recently, and I shall lose no time in ascertaining what the cost may be.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

Has the right hon. Gentleman any definite information as to the whereabouts of the Mullah, and as to whether he is supposed to have taken any following with him.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of the Question. The Mullah, as I have said, is supposed to have passed into Italian territory, but where he is at the precise moment I cannot tell the hon. Member. This is a country of great expanses and few names; I cannot give the exact name of the place.

A NATIONALIST MEMBER

Is he coming back?

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a statement setting forth the entire cost of the campaign, and what has been achieved at that cost?

[No answer was returned.]