§ 36. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the use of British bombing aeroplanes in Southern Arabia during the past 12 months; and whether, during such period, British aeroplanes have been engaged in bombing operations in any territory in Southern Arabia which is not under British control?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe Royal Air Force Squadron at Aden has been used during the past 12 months for normal Service training and for co-operation with the political authorities in maintaining order in the Protectorate. Air operations have been conducted on eight occasions against tribes who have defied authority following crimes of violence. These operations were followed in all cases by a return to submission to authority. On three occasions this was secured by demonstration flights alone; on the other five occasions the villages of the tribes 347 concerned were bombed after the usual protracted warnings which enabled evacuation to be undertaken. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. HendersonMay I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that public opinion in this country is against the use of bombing aeroplanes against native populations, he will take steps to check this practice?
§ The Prime MinisterWe should be prepared to stop bombing from the air altogether if others would agree to do the same.
§ Mr. HendersonIn view of the fact that the use of bombing aeroplanes for this purpose does not depend upon the international situation, cannot that decision be made in respect of our own territories?