§ Sir CLEMENT HILLasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he had any official information to the effect that the Mullah had slaughtered 800 friendly natives and captured their stock; and whether he would state to the House how many natives under British protection in Somaliland had been killed, and how many head of cattle and what amount of Government stores, rifles, or ammunition in the hands of friendlies had been captured by the Mullah or other hostile raiders since the conclusion of Sir R. Wingate's mission to the Protectorate?
§ Colonel SEELYWith regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Rugby. With regard to the second part, I have made inquiry of the late Commissioner, who is now in this country, but he is unable to give any estimate, and I think that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain trustworthy information.
§ Sir CLEMENT HILLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that statements have been published in a Blue Book that eighty-seven friendly natives have been killed by the Mullah's emissaries, and 7,000 head of live stock have been captured, together with a considerable number of rifles?
§ Colonel SEELYI am not aware of it. That refers to the first part of the question. I have nothing to add to the information which I gave yesterday, because no information has been received.
Sir GILBERT PARKERIs it not the case that the military authorities of Somaliland have received reports from the interior of these matters to which my hon. Friend referred?
§ Colonel SEELYI have read out to the House yesterday the whole of the information received.