LORD PHILLIMOREasked His Majesty's Government—
1. Does the information received by the Government confirm that native levies from Italian Somaliland operating under Italian command against Abyssinia have been promised the right to loot on Abyssinian territory?
2. If this is the case, what steps are the Government taking to protect the lives and property of those natives of British Somaliland who, in accordance with immemorial custom, are now grazing their herds in Abyssinian territory owing to the absence of sufficient pasture and water on the British side?
This Question refers particularly to the Habr Yunis.
§ THE EARL OF PLYMOUTHWith regard to the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government have received no information. With regard to the second part of the question, every effort is being made to persuade British protected tribes not to cross the frontier of British Somaliland into Abyssinia until the present abnormal state of affairs in that territory has ceased to exist and they are able to revisit in safety their traditional grazing grounds over the frontier. Meanwhile the Government of British Somaliland is doing everything possible to ensure the well-being of the tribes and their stock. No information is available as to the present position of the Habr Yunis, but inquiry will be made of the Governor on this point.