MR. GRANT DUFFasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether any change has recently taken place in the relations of the Government of India with Afghanistan; whether he is able to give the House any information with respect to the negotiations at Peshawur; and, whether he is now in a position to lay the Khelat Papers upon the Table?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSir, in reply to the first part of the Question, I have to say that no change whatever has occurred in the relations between the British Government and the Ameer of Afghanistan. There were several questions upon which communications with the Ameer were desirable, and, as he was reluctant to receive a British officer in his own dominions, it was thought better to discuss them at Peshawur. As the death of the Envoy has interrupted these negotiations, no conclusion has at present been arrived at. Papers relating to the settlement of the difficulties in Khelat will at once be laid upon the Table of the House; but they are very voluminous, and, I fear, will not be in the hands of hon. Members for some time.
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI believe that the Ameer has expressed a wish to carry on negotiations, and the matter is under the consideration of the Government of India.