HC Deb 21 April 1879 vol 245 cc702-3
MR. DILLWYN

said, he wished to ask the Chancellor of the Excehquer a Question, of which he had given him private Notice—namely, Whether his attention has been directed to a telegram in "The Times," stating that General Maude's division had left Jellalabad on its way to Cabul; and to a second telegram, which stated that the division had arrived at Gandamak?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, I am sorry to say that my attention has not been called to the telegrams, and I have not received any information on the subject; but perhaps my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for India will be able to answer the Question.

MR. E. STANHOPE

I did notice one telegram to which the hon. Member has referred, but the second escaped my notice. So far as regards the advance on Cabul, I can add nothing to what was said the other day. No sanction has been given by the Home Government to an advance on Cabul, and, so far as I know, no such advance on Cabul has been made.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Will the hon. Member kindly inform the House whether or not Gandamak is about half-way between Jellalabad and Cabul?

MR. E. STANHOPE

It is on the way towards Cabul, no doubt. A portion of the Army has advanced in that direction; but that is quite a different thing from advancing upon Cabul.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

But I must remind the House of the Question put by the hon. Member for Hackney to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, last Thursday. I wish to know whether Gandamak is half-way to Cabul, and whether Lord Lytton communicated to the Home Government the arrival there of the division?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

It would have been more convenient if Notice had been given of these Questions. I have been very busy to- day, and have not looked at the newspapers nor seen the telegrams. The hon. Member for Swansea (Mr. Dillwyn) says he gave me private Notice of the Question; but that private Notice was only brought across the floor of the House to me since I took my place here. If the hon. Member will give Notice for to-morrow, the Question will be answered. I can only say now that I have heard nothing of the advance on Cabul since I answered the Question of the hon. Member for Hackney.

MR. DILLWYN

I must apologize for not having given a longer Notice; but I thought it an important Question which should not be delayed. I will put it again to-morrow.