§ MR. CHARLES WILSON (Hull, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for India why the Indian Government are giving up the Aden Hinterland and the Hills of 1217 Dahla; and whether, seeing that these hills are a good sanatorium for British troops, being situated about 7,000 feet high on the edge of a rich country, they will reconsider their decision.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The permanent location of troops at Dahla, whether at a sanatorium or otherwise, has never been sanctioned either by the late or the present Government. It is, therefore, incorrect to speak of giving up the Aden Hinterland. The withdrawal of troops from Dahla, now that the delimitation proceedings are completed, is in accordance with the statement of policy made in the House of Lords on the 30th March, 1903,† as to the demarcation, viz., that His Majesty's Government had never desired to interfere with the internal and domestic affairs of the tribes on the British side of the boundary, but had throughout made it plain that they would not assent to the interference of any other Power with those affairs.