§ MR. O'REILLYasked the Under Secretary of State for India, What troops are stationed at Quetta; what buildings or entrenchments they occupy; whether it is intended to occupy that station permanently; and, if not, when it is proposed to withdraw the force now stationed there?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSir, according to the last Return, the total number of troops then at Quetta was 1,362; but this includes a special escort of Major Sandeman, which was to have accompanied him on a mission to settle a boundary dispute at the other end of Beloochistan. The mission being postponed for three months, the escort is waiting at Quetta. The troops occupy an old native fort and temporary barracks. In reply to the last two parts of the Question of the hon. Gentleman, I am sure he will excuse me if I refer him to my speech of last Session, in which I stated at some length the reasons for the occupation of Quetta, at the Khan of Khelat's request, by British troops. I have nothing now to add to that statement.