§ EARL SPENCERI beg to ask the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House the latest information as to Somaliland. From what has appeared in the public Press there can be little doubt that a very serious disaster has occurred to the forces that have been employed in that country. I do not propose to discuss the subject on this occasion. I referred to it in the remarks I made on the Address, and I then expressed a fear that the difficulties had not been sufficiently faced by His Majesty's Government, and that the results might prove much more serious than they anticipated. The question will, no doubt, be debated in Parliament, and for the 639 present I shall confine myself to asking the Question standing in my name.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of Lansdowne)The War Office has already given to the Press all such information as can at present be given in reference to recent operations in Somaliland. At the same time, I can well understand the desire of the noble Earl to be fully informed with regard to these important events, and we shall take care that the desire shall not be lost sight of. I might, perhaps, add that General Manning has been called upon for a full report upon the situation in Somaliland as it at present presents itself.