§ MR. DILLWYNasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether his attention has been called to the following passage which appears in an article called "Plain words about the Afghan question," by Archibald Forbes, in the first number of a publication entitled "Time:"—
It is not generally known, but it is nevertheless true, that the Viceroy of India, following the example of Colonels Mansfield and Wellesley in the recent Russo-Turkish war, has maintained direct communication on the Anglo-Afghan imbroglio with Her Majesty the Queen. How copious and detailed this must have been may be judged from the fact that a single telegram from the Viceroy to the Queen, at an important and difficult crisis, was so long that the cost of it was eleven hundred rupees. Who paid for it, whether the Sovereign or the Viceroy, England or India, I know not; but I do know that it cost what I have stated;and, if so, whether he has ascertained if the allegation contained in that passage as regards direct communication between Her Majesty and the Viceroy is or is not substantially correct; and, whether, if he has not already made inquiries on the subject, he will do so and inform the House of the result?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I can give no information to the hon. Gentleman or the House en this subject, further than to say there is no kind of official communication between Her Majesty the Queen and the Viceroy of India. Letters have occasionally been written by the Viceroy, and by successive Viceroys, to the Queen, and no doubt letters have been written from the Queen to the Viceroys. Of those we know nothing, any more than we do of any private correspondence of Her Majesty.
§ MR. DILLWYNIn consequence of the answer I have received, I beg to give Notice that on some early day, if I can get a convenient opportunity, I shall call the attention of the House to the matter.