§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he can give to the House any information contradictory of the following telegram from Simla, contained in "The Times" of the 9th of June, respecting the alleged loss of camels during the campaign in Afghanistan, viz.:—
The statement that 16,000 camels have been lost may be correct with regard to a portion of our forces, but at least twice this number have perished altogether, without counting other baggage animals. An estimate, which ought to be trustworthy, makes the total number nearly 980 40,000. It is earnestly to be hoped that the successful termination of the campaign may not prevent fullest inquiries into the cause of mismanagement so discreditable and dangerous. The Khyber force was for some time so helpless, owing to the want of transport, that it could not have advanced to Cabul if Yakoob Khan had defied us;and, whether the camel owners will receive compensation from the Government only for camels captured or destroyed by the enemy, and not for those which have perished from other causes?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEWe have telegraphed for detailed information on this subject; but it has not yet reached me. I am afraid that there is no doubt that the loss of camels was heavy; but there is nothing in any of the Correspondence from India to lead to the idea that the force could not have moved forward if required to do so. It is understood that the terms offered to camel owners covered all risks of death or loss from any cause.