§ MR. MACFARLANEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If, before Candahar is evacuated, he will afford the representatives of the people of the United Kingdom, out of whose pockets it is believed that a considerable proportion of the cost of the war in Afghanistan will be taken, an opportunity of discussing the policy of that step; and, if he will postpone the abandonment of that city until such an opportunity has been afforded?
MR GLADSTONESir, having already given an engagement to afford the best opportunity we can find for the discussion of the subject, I cannot undertake to enter into any other engagement. I do not think, however, that my noble Friend the Secretary of State for India expects that any immediate step will be taken.