§ Captain BARINGasked the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies whether any control of the trade routes into the interior would be maintained under the new policy of the Government in Somaliland?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)It is proposed to limit our direct administration to the ports on the coast.
§ Mr. REESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Trade routes were maintained when Somaliland was under the India Office?
§ Colonel SEELYWhen Somaliland was under the India Office that and other matters were admirably managed. Of course, I cannot go into the history of the matter in the short time at my disposal.
§ Captain BARINGasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if he would state from what source those tribes to whom rifles have been issued by the British Government are to replenish their ammunition; and whether he would consider the possibility of preventing the Mullah availing himself of the same supply?
§ Colonel SEELYThe ammunition is supplied by the Commissioner. There is, therefore, no question of the Mullah 1221 obtaining ammunition from the same source.
§ Captain BARINGDo we give unlimited supplies to our friendlies?
§ Colonel SEELYThe hon. and gallant Gentleman asks about our unlimited supplies. If he means as much as they want for all purposes to defend themselves the answer is "Yes." But if by unlimited supplies he means that they get more than they want, "No." The Commissioner gives them what they want and no more.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAnd the Mullah takes it from them.
§ Captain BARINGIs not this, in practice, the same thing as supplying the Mullah?
§ Colonel SEELYOh, no; I think that would be a very erroneous inference to draw. During the last few weeks, in the course of these unfortunate disturbances, there have been captures of ammunition from both sides. Neither side got much advantage; they ended up all square.
§ Colonel SEELYWe do our best to control the supply of ammunition to the friendly tribes. It is under the control of the Commissioner.
§ Colonel SEELYWe do our best to control the supply.