§ Mr. BAIRDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he would state the total number of civil servants and the total strength of the military and police force now employed in Somaliland, 860 showing the numbers of British, Indian, and Africans employed, respectively; and how these military and police forces and civil servants were distributed?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)The total number of Civil servants employed is 107, of which 31 are British. The remainder are Africans, Indians or Goanese, but it is impossible to give the exact numbers. All the Civil staff is concentrated at the three posts of Berbera, Bulhar and Zeila. The police number 206 in all, 126 being stationed at Berbera and Bulhar, and 80 at Zeila. They are entirely composed of Africans. The military force is as follows: The 127th Battalion Baluchis and the Indian Contingent consisting of two companies. The above are at Berbera, with the exception of small garrisons of the Indian Contingent at Bulhar and at Zeila. There arc also three special service officers.
§ Mr. BAIRDDoes that represent the permanent force that is proposed to be kept in the Protectorate?
§ Colonel SEELYI think it would be highly undesirable to give precise details in military matters of this kind.
§ Mr. ALFRED LYTTELTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will lay Papers generally on Somaliland in addition to those we have already had; and secondly whether he will lay the Reports of the Sirdar and Sir Rudolph Slatin on the Table?
§ Colonel SEELYIn reply to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's question we will lay Papers almost immediately, and as soon as we have got further information which we have sent for. With regard to the second part, as Lord Crewe said in the House of Lords the other day, I cannot very well lay the Report of Sir Reginald Wingate and Sir Rudolph Slatin, because it was never intended for publication.
§ Mr. BAIRDasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he would give details of all the fighting that had occurred since 21st March last between the Mullah's followers and the Somali tribes, hitherto described as friendlies, stating place, date, tribes engaged, and losses on both sides, both in men and animals; and whether any cases had been reported of our tribes joining the Mullah?
§ Colonel SEELYThe details for which the hon. Member asks in. the first part of his question will be given in the further Papers which are being laid almost immediately before the House. No cases have been reported of our tribes joining the Mullah.
§ Mr. G. A. LLOYDIs it not a fact that the time Somaliland was taken over one of the conditions was that we should protect the natives, and how does the right hon. Gentleman think the present conduct with regard to the withdrawal of troops is carrying out that condition?
§ Colonel SEELYI should think that that is a matter for debate, and a great deal can be said on both sides. I do not think you could deal with a question of that kind by question and answer in the time available, but I should be glad to give an answer.
An HON. MEMBERWill the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to put the Colonial Office Vote down for an early day?
§ Colonel SEELYIf the hon. and gallant Member will make his request through the ordinary channels I am sure the Prime Minister will consider how soon he will take the Colonial Office Vote. As far as we are concerned, the sooner the better, hut a great many other people want Votes taken.