§ 5. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the officers killed in the recent fighting between Jandola and Sarwekai had driven on beyond the protection of the convoy and its picquets; and, if so, who was responsible; and whether orders will be issued that no one be permitted to travel between posts without adequate escort?
§ Mr. ButlerI have not yet received official information on the point raised by the hon. Member, but I have every reason to believe that all vehicles were moving within the convoy under the protection of the armoured cars. As regards the last part of the question, this order is already in force.
§ 6. Sir A. Knoxasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in punitive operations in Waziristan, he will suggest the advisability of using primarily troops of the Frontier Force and Gurkhas, who understand the terrain and the tactics of the tribesmen?
§ Mr. ButlerUnits with frontier experience are already being used as part of 5 a larger force containing all classes of arms necessary in the conditions now prevailing.
§ 7. Sir A. Knoxasked the Under-Secre-tary of State for India what steps are being taken to punish the tribesmen guilty of the attack on British troops in the Shahur Tangi?
§ Mr. ButlerThe jirga of the tribal section to which the tribesmen principally concerned belong were ordered to hand over two of the leaders in the attack, failing which the section must return to specified encampments from its summer grazing grounds and hand over 30 hostages. Failure to comply with these orders will result in more drastic action being taken.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that delay in taking effective action against these people is really encouraging further disorder?
§ Mr. ButlerI realise also that it is very important that the particular tribes in question should be dealt with in the interim: