§ MR. WHITE RIDLEY (Stalybridge)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Italian squadron did not participate in the bombardment of Illig and if they have taken any part in the operations against the Mullah.
§ EARL PERCYThe operations at Illig were carried out in pursuance of a plan agreed upon by the two Governments, the Italian battleship being held in readiness to give assistance if it should be required. The decision of the Italian Government not to place troops in the field during the successive campaigns against the Mullah (a decision which was communicated to His Majesty's Government at the commencement of the operations) does not lessen the value of the service which they have rendered in allowing their territory to be used as a base for military operations which could not otherwise have been carried out at all.