§ MR. FAWCETTasked the Under Secretary of State for India, What is the amount of the annual charge now thrown upon the revenues of India by the millitary occupation of Quettah; whether the following statement, contained in a letter to the "Times" of Wednesday last, from Major-General Sir John Adye, is correct:—
It is understood that we are building a residency and a fortified cantonment; that a telegraph has been established; and a Railway is to be made to the entrance of the Pass (Parliamentary Paper, 'Beloochistan,' No. 2, 1877);and, if these works are being or to be constructed, he can inform the House what is their estimated cost?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTON,in reply, said, that as far as he was aware, the occupation of Quettah would entail no increase in the Military Estimates of the Government of India. There was a certain apparent increase in the political charges, and, probably, an increase of salaries on account of Major Sandeman and his establishment. The salaries of Major Sandeman and his Staff were stated at page 336, Parliamentary Blue Book No. 2 (Beloochistan). A house had been built at Quettah for the occupation of the agent of the Governor 463 General; but, as he stated the other day, no other buildings but of a temporary character, and such as were necessary for stores, had been erected. Telegraphic communication had been established between Quettah and British India, as was the case with all troops that might be on detachment duty. No expenditure has been sanctioned or incurred in the construction of a railway to the entrance of the Bolan Pass.