HC Deb 20 March 1885 vol 296 cc53-4
MR. ONSLOW

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government communicated, as soon as it was made, the substance of the new agreement to Sir Peter Lumsden, with instructions that he should inform the Ameer without delay that such an agreement had been arrived at?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The assurances received from the Rus-sian Government were communicated to Sir Peter Lumsden, and he has been instructed to inform the Ameer's Repre-sentative that the policy of the Afghans should be to maintain the status quo pending the negotiations which are still proceeding with the Russian Government.

MR. ONSLOW

When was that notification sent to General Lumsden?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

All important communications are at once telegraphed to Sir Peter Lumsden.

MR. ONSLOW

Was it sent on March 10, the day the Agreement was made?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

If not on March 10 it was sent immediately afterwards.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

May I ask the noble Lord whether this Agreement with Russia will be embodied in a formal document, to be signed by any responsible Representative of the Russian Government?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Then I will ask it on Monday.