HC Deb 03 February 1881 vol 258 cc52-3
MR. ONSLOW

asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether "the means of determining" the policy of the Government for the abandonment of Candahar, stated by the Government to be in their possession, is from oral communication or from written documents; if from the latter, whether the Government will lay these documents upon the Table of the House; whether the Government intend to abandon the Pishin Valley as well as Candahar; to whom and under what form of Government do the Government propose to entrust Candahar and the neighbouring districts after their evacuation by British troops; and, whether, now that a transcript of the Memorandum written by Lord Napier of Magdala has appeared in the "Times" newspaper the Government still intend not to lay it upon the Table of the House?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, the information in the possession of the Government, which in their opinion gave the necessary means determining the policy in reference to Candahar, was derived partly from oral statements and partly from written documents; and I have already stated that there is no obligation on the Government, and it is not usual, to lay on the Table of the House confidential memoranda, or notes written by Members of the Council of India, or other authorities whom the Government may think it necessary to consult. I will, however, before the House discusses this question, consider whether it is possible, in this case, to lay on the Table any written information which has been received. The hon. Member-asks what are our intentions with regard to the Pishin Valley as well as to Candahar, and to what form of government it is proposed to entrust Candahar and the neighbouring districts after the evacuation? The question of the limit to be occupied by our troops and the form of government at Candahar and the district around it is still under the consideration of the Government of India. I do not think it would be possible within the limits of a question to state to the House what the position of affairs is generally in Candahar and the neighbourhood. I shall be very glad to do so when there is an opportunity of bringing the Question fully before the House. With regard to Lord Napier of Magdala's Memorandum, it would not be in our power to lay it officially on the Table. It has never been officially communicated to me. If it should reach me in an official form, I will consider whether it is possible to include it in the Papers.