HC Deb 14 November 1956 vol 560 cc947-8
41. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that there are adequate tribal police and other security forces in British Somaliland for the defence of tribesmen under Her Majesty's protection against Ethiopian pressure; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

In the Somali-land Protectorate there are the Somaliland Scouts, Protectorate Police Force and Tribal Police (Illaloes). I am satisfied that these forces are adequate for all normal purposes of internal security, although the possibility of providing reinforcements in the event of attack from any quarter outside the Protectorate has not been overlooked.

Mr. J. Johnson

May I ask the Minister whether he has seen in The Times today the letter of the Ethiopian Ambassador? In view of that, would the right hon. Gentleman consider approaching the Ethiopian Government with a view to setting up a border commission, a fact-finding commission, perhaps under the United Nations, to investigate these facts which are in dispute by both sides?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir, of course I saw the letter this morning. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I had talks with the Foreign Minister from Ethiopia during the various Suez conferences in London.

Mr. Dugdale

Might I ask the Colonial Secretary two questions? First, will he afford adequate protection to these small tribes who are grazing their stock in the Haud and up to now have not had such protection? Secondly, as the Ethiopian Government have observed the 1954 Agreement in neither the spirit nor the letter, will he terminate it?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am very anxious that the spirit of the Agreement should be observed on both sides in the way in which it has been observed on our side. The Governor is at present reviewing the question of the size of the Illalo force in those territories.

Mr. Awbery

Will the right hon. Gentleman hold an inquiry into the position in that part of the country, because it is causing considerable trouble between the tribes?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is little doubt about the facts, and there is no need for further inquiry. The need now is for full observance of the undertakings.