HC Deb 27 June 1956 vol 555 cc47-8W
64. Mr. Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been made to the authorities in British Somaliland by the Somali tribe known as the Esa, who claim British protection, concerning a massacre of 189 men, 111 women and 118 children by an Ethiopian force last February; what investigations have been made into these representations; and what action has been taken.

70. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the visit to Hargeisa of a delegation of the Esa tribe from the former British Somaliland territory handed over to Ethiopia.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

This morning I received a despatch from the Governor of Somaliland telling me that a delegation from the Esa tribe approached the Somaliland Government on 20th June and reported that last February the tribe had suffered a massacre at the hands of Ethiopian troops in Ethiopia, not in the territory known as the Reserved Area which was formerly under British administration. I am investigating this report and shall make a further statement as soon as possible.