§ MR. SHIELDasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he can inform the House what number of British forces are at present in the city or province of Kandahar, and on the line of communications; what is the extent of territory in that province, and on the line of communications, at present actually subject to Military occupation by British forces; what proportion of the food and forage required for the subsistence of the occupying forces is obtained from Afghanistan, and what proportion is sent from India; and, the estimated cost during a given time, say January and February 1881, of maintaining the British forces now in Kandahar?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, from the latest Returns it appeared that the British force at Candahar consisted of nine batteries of Royal Artillery, and one battery mountain of Native Artillery, numbering in all 1,193 men and 56 guns; one regiment of British Cavalry of 400 men; six regiments of Native Cavalry of 2,437 men; five regiments of British Infantry of 3,055 men; 1243 15 regiments of Native Infantry of 8,743 men; three companies of Sappers and Miners of 277 men; or, in the aggregate, 4,430 British and 11,674 Natives. There are no hard-and-fast limits actually subject to military occupation. At present—since Brigadier General Wilkinson's brigade has returned from Maiwand—Candahar and its immediate neighbourhood, to Kokeran only is in strict military occupation. The country to the south-west to the Argandab may be considered in military occupation. The whole line of communication, Pishin, Quetta, Kelat, and downwards, is also in actual military occupation. There is no information on record to enable me to give a categorical reply to the third part of my hon. Friend's Question. It is understood, however, that Candahar and its neighbourhood furnish the supplies for that garrison, except sugar, tea, rum, salt, provisions, hospital stores, biscuits, and some breadstuffs. The posts on the line of communication are to a greater extent dependent on India; but they still draw largely on the country. The accounts have not been rendered with sufficient accuracy to enable me to lay them upon the Table of the House.