HC Deb 12 August 1878 vol 242 c1764
SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any truth in the rumoured advance of Russian forces across the Oxus, or towards Merv?

MR. C. BECKETT-DENISON

Before the hon. Gentleman answers that Question, I beg to ask him, Whether the Government have any authentic information regarding the reception of a Russian Resident at the Court of Cabul? If the hon. Gentleman cannot answer that Question now, I will repeat it on a future occasion.

MR. BOURKE

I should feel obliged if my hon. Friend the Member for Yorkshire would ask that Question again, no Notice having been given of it. With respect to the Question of the hon. Baronet (Sir Charles W. Dilke), no intelligence has reached the Government that the Russian forces have crossed the Oxus in the direction of Merv.