§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is the fact as reported, that mutual engagements have been entered into between this Country and the Government of Russia, by which Russia has undertaken not to advance upon Merv, upon the condition that the English occupation of Candahar shall be abandoned; and, whether negotiations are on foot with the object of obtaining such an engagement from Russia?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, there is not the slightest foundation for the statement referred to by my hon. Friend in his first Question. As to the second, we have reason to believe that Russia is not advancing upon Merv; but this belief is not a consequence of any negotiations with us, no such negotiations having taken place.