§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government will at once lay before the House the various Proclamations issued by Sir F. Roberts, and communicated to the Indian Press, but not contained in the Blue Book, Afghanistan, 1880 (No. 1); and, whether it will be possible to include in Correspondence laid before the House, relative to the military executions in Afghanistan, the Despatches from General Roberts and portions of the Cabul Diary bearing upon this subject which have not been printed in the Papers laid before Parliament, and any Correspondence upon the matter between Sir D. Stewart and Sir F. Roberts?
§ MR. E. STANHOPESir, the only Proclamations issued by Sir Frederick Roberts which we have received, and have not as yet published, arrived by the last mail. They are only telegraphic summaries, and we should naturally have waited until the full text arrived before publishing the Paper. But if the hon. Member likes to move for them we will give them at once. As we are expecting, by an early mail, complete statements regarding the executions in Cabul, we do not think it would be right to give any incomplete statements in the meantime. As regards any Correspondence between Sir Donald Stewart and Sir Frederick Roberts on the subject, we have received 684 no information officially. I believe that certain statements as to such a Correspondence have been made in private letters which were clearly not meant to be published.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe first Proclamation I allude to was on the 23rd December. I do not know whether that can be published?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIf my memory serves me right, the Proclamation of the 23rd December is one of those to which I have alluded. If the hon. Member will communicate with me I will tell him exactly.