HC Deb 20 February 1873 vol 214 cc771-2
MR. RYLANDS

moved— That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that She will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid before this House, Copies of the Memorandum on the frontier of the Badakshan and Wakhan provinces of Afghanistan drawn at the India Office from maps and information furnished by Sir Henry Rawlinson, together with the Despatch on the subject from the Government of India; and, of the sketch Map, showing the northern boundary of the Afghan territories, assented to by Government of India, and adopted by the Foreign Office. The hon. Member said, that Lord Granville's despatch left the matter in a state of great ambiguity. It was upon the authority of Captain Wood and Captain Yule's book that he informed the House that the river Penjah flowed for 66 miles through the State of Wakhan, and that the ruby mines of Badakshan were on the right bank of that river, and therefore to the north of that tributary of the Oxus: and that, after leaving the ruby mines, to quote Colonel Yule's words— The Panja (or Penjah), running northwards, quits the field of our actual knowledge for a space of something like 170 miles. We know that it traverses the valley States of Shignan and Roshan, acknowledging the supremacy of Badakshan.

VISCOUNT ENFIELD

said, he was afraid it would not be in his power to assent to the Motion of his hon. Friend. With regard to the Memorandum of Sir Henry Rawlinson, of December, 1871, that document was considered by the Foreign Office and the India Office to be in the nature of a confidential document, and therefore could not be produced. If his hon. Friend referred to the despatch of the Governor General of India of May, 1871, the greater portion of it would be found in the Papers before Parliament. With regard to the map there was a difficulty, because, although the India Office had maps in their possession, they were not of an official character. That part of the country was very little known, for it had not been explored, and he could not present it to Parliament with the degree of authority which ought to attach to a document submitted by two Government Departments. He should, therefore, resist the Motion.

MR. EASTWICK

expressed a hope that Lord Granville would insist upon the definition of boundary contained in the despatch of the 17th of October.

SIR CHARLES WINGFIELD

was surprised at the refusal of the Government after the speech of Lord Granville in "another place."

MR. RYLANDS

said, he would not press the Motion against the feelings of the noble Lord; but he hoped, after the opinions expressed by two eminent Members, the noble Lord would further consider it, and give additional information on the subject. He should repeat the Question on Monday.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.