§ MR. O'REILLYasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Government intend to carry out the declaration of Major General Roberts "That neither Shere Ali Khan, nor any other Amir of Kabul, will ever again be permitted to reign over Kuram," and that the Durani is exchanged for the British Government?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe best answer I can give to the hon. Member is to call attention to the statement authoritatively made by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for India in "another place" in reply to a similar Question. Lord Cranbrook said—
I am not aware that any authority was given to General Roberts to make that particular speech; but no doubt authority was given to him, as it is to all Generals in such cases, that they should endeavour to withdraw the allegiance of tribes in the districts through which they have to advance; and in order to detach those tribes it is necessary to give them an assurance that they would not again fall under the old dominion. No doubt that was the object General Roberts had in view when making the speech. It was an assurance to those tribes that they would not be again brought under the old dominion of the Ruler from whom he had detached them. And, without saying what form of government may be adopted for that district, it was the intention of the Government that they should not return under the dominion of the Ameer.