§ Mr. Windsorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will 1664W make a statement regarding the recent bombing by British aeroplanes of the Al Giaber tribe, belonging to the Arab emir in the Persian Gulf, for refusing to pay fines imposed by the British Government; and how many were killed or injured?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have been asked to reply. An officer of the Royal Engineers who was recently travelling to inspect a road in the hinterland of the Aden Protectorate was fired upon at close range by a party of marauding tribesmen and two of his companions were wounded. The section of the tribe which was found guilty was ordered to pay an indemnity in kind. As they failed to comply with this order, punitive air action was taken after the usual full warning. Bombing ceased as soon as it was indicated that the fine would be paid, and it has not been reported that any persons were killed or injured. Punitive action of this kind is taken as a police measure. As on similar previous occasions long warning was given, and action is directed solely to the destruction of houses.