asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the recent incursions made by the troops of a neighbouring potentate into a remote area of the Aden Protectorate, resulting in livestock being looted and hostages taken from tribesmen under British protection; whether air action has been taken or threatened against the frontier fortresses from which the marauding troops came; and has the return of hostages and loot been secured and the position stabilised?