§ MAJOR NOLANasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If newspaper correspondents with the Army in Afghanistan are allowed to proceed to the front, and to send letters and telegrams home without restriction; and, if not, what rules have been framed to govern their correspondence?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIn consequence of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, we telegraphed to India, and have received the following reply:—
§ "(From the Viceroy, Lahore.)
§ "16th December, 1878.
§ "Following substance of rules issued by Government regarding Press correspondence:— 853 Approved correspondents allowed to accompany field columns, receiving carriage and camp equipage on same terms as other officers, and staff officer's rations on payment. No restriction or supervision over correspondence. Officers commanding columns empowered, if they think necessary, to require telegraphic messages to be submitted for inspection. Officers commanding at Frontier stations authorized on emergency temporarily to order stoppage of all telegrams relating- to movements of troops, unless countersigned by staff officer. Commander-in-Chief has further issued orders prohibiting staff officers writing for papers, as he considers their time should be fully occupied with their proper duties."