§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn view of the serious situation in Somaliland, will the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for the Colonies be able to lay Papers, and, if so, how soon does he expect to be able to do so?
Mr. HARCOURTDuring the night I received entirely satisfactory accounts of the situation in Somaliland. I do not propose to read the telegrams to the House or send them to the Press, because they concern the present disposition of the Camel Corps, and the House is probably aware of the incredible rapidity with which news made public here reaches the utmost corners of Somaliland. For that reason I would earnestly deprecate any discussion to-day on the insufficient knowledge which we have at present as to the incident which occurred recently. I shall publish full Papers at the earliest possible date, and all possible information will be included in them, subject to the proviso that information must not be given which if it reached Somaliland would be damaging to our forces and add to their trouble.
§ Mr. DILLONWill the right hon. Gentleman include Papers going back for the last 2662 six months or a year, so as to give details of any change of policy that has taken place in Somaliland?
Mr. HARCOURTI will include as many Papers as I safely can, subject to the proviso which I have mentioned. I may say at once that there has been no change whatever in the policy of His Majesty's Government in Somaliland.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the loyal tribesmen who have depended entirely upon us for protection will be given protection, and that the word of Englishmen to give protection having once been pledged will be kept?
Mr. HARCOURTI do not think it desirable at this moment that I should go into further details as to what steps I shall deem it necessary to take in order to maintain, as I shall do fully, our position in Somaliland and on the coast.