HC Deb 01 July 1937 vol 325 cc2168-9W
Mr. Paling

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what means are used to warn the inhabitants of a village or villages in Waziristan that bombing from the air is to take place; and what period elapses between the warning being given and the beginning of air action?

Lord Stanley

Warning notices are invariably dropped from aircraft over the villages concerned and wherever possible are also distributed by messengers. Sometimes an announcement is made as well to the tribal jirga. The period of warning, which is always adequate for the evacuation of the area of danger, depends upon the circumstances of each case, and is never less than two days. In addition, final warning notices are issued about 24 hours before air action begins.