§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the renewed severe outbreak of fighting, reported in the Press, between the Mohamed Zubeir and the Herti Somalis in Jubaland; whether there is any apprehension of the outbreak spreading: and what steps are being taken to deal with it?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe message which has appeared in the Press to-day is in some respects more detailed than the information which I have received, but I can confirm the statement that the Colonial Government regard the disturbance as purely local and they do not 2273 expect it to spread to other parts of Jutland. The force now on the spot is regarded as sufficient, if action can be taken before the rains increase the mobility of the Mohamed Zubeir, but a battalion of the King's African Rifles can be sent to Kismayu at once if the necessity arises. The Colonial forces have not up to the present been engaged, and the steps taken by the Government are of a precautionary nature.