§ *MR. LYELLI beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has been explained to the protected tribes of Somaliland that His Majesty's Government do not repudiate the general obligations into which they have entered with the tribes, but that the particular manner in which they interpreted these obligations depended on circumstances.
§ EARL PERCYHis Majesty's Government have instructed their Commissioner to explain to the tribes that they are expected to take advantage of the present opportunity to organise for their own protection, and that if they do not fulfil their engagements towards this country we shall consider ourselves at liberty to reconsider our relations with them.
§ *MR. LYELLWhat is the engagement of these tribes towards this country?
§ EARL PERCYChiefly to keep the roads into the interior open.
§ *MR. LYELLOn what occasion have they failed to do that?
§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)Has it been definitely decided to arm these tribes?
§ EARL PERCYYes, Sir, it has been decided to issue a limited number of rifles to certain specially selected tribes.
§ MR. CATHCART WASONHow many?
§ EARL PERCYI do not think it is advisable in the public interest to give that information.