HC Deb 03 July 1907 vol 177 cc688-9
*CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether assistant political officers serving up the country in Somaliland are allowed furniture or equipment.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES, (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Manchester, N.W.

It is †See (4) Debates, clxxvii., 86–7. understood that assistant political officers in Somaliland are provided with tents and articles of camp equipment, but the Secretary of State has no exact information as to the extent of this equipment.

CAPTAIN FABER

asked whether other political officers were not allowed furniture.

MR. CHURCHILL

pointed out that it was obviously impossible to treat officers in a wild country far from civilisation in the same way as those stationed on the coasts.

CAPTAIN FABER

Did not the Colonial Office write a letter promising that officers going up country should either receive furniture or an equivalent in money? Is it not a fact that that promise has not been carried out?

MR. CHURCHILL

If any such engagement has been entered into by the Colonial Office I will certainly see that it is fulfilled.