HC Deb 04 April 1881 vol 260 cc551-2
MR. ONSLOW

asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he can now state when our troops will actually leave Candahar for India; what arrangements have been made with Abdul Rahman for the protection of the inhabitants of Candahar and neighbourhood on our retirement; what precautions, additional to those when our troops march in India during the cold season, have been taken to ensure, as far as possible, the health of the troops marching at this unseasonable period of the year; and, whether he can now make any statement regarding the contemplated abandonment of the Pishin Valley, or of our present position in Afghanistan?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, I cannot state the actual date at which the troops will leave Candahar for India. It is stated in The Times to-day that it is expected the retirement will commence about the 10th of this month. I have not received full information from the Government of India. As to the arrangements to be made for the protection of the inhabitants of Candahar, it is a subject that has not escaped the attention of the Government of India. A letter has been addressed to the Ameer on the subject, and instructions have been sent to Colonel St. John. It is reported that the greater part of the British adherents at Candahar have tendered their allegiance to Abdurrahman; therefore, there is no probability that they will have anything to fear from him. I stated the other day, in answer to a Question, that a considerable number of Afghan refugees in India were in receipt of allowances, and should it be necessary similar arrangements will probably be made in the case of persons retiring with the troops from Candahar. I have not received any detailed report from the Government of India as to the precautions to be taken to insure the health of the troops on the march; but I believe there is no reason to doubt that the question has been fully considered by the military authorities in India, and the date for the departure has been specially fixed after such consideration. I believe it is in contemplation that either the whole or part of the force will return by the route by which it will avoid the great heats of the desert.