§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been drawn to the plans for the garrisoning and fortification of Candahar, which were prepared, under Gene- 1511 ral Roberts' orders, by the chief engineer officer of the Cabul-Candahar Army, Colonel Perkins, R.E.; whether, according to those plans, a garrison of the total strength of seven thousand eight hundred men, half to occupy the fortifications, and half to operate beyond the walls, was considered to be ample for the retention of the place; whether the annual cost, as well as the original outlay required under those plans, would not be very much less than the figure stated in estimates which appear to be based upon the maintenance of a garrison of twelve or twenty thousand men; and, whether Her Majesty's Government can lay the plans in question, or any other plans prepared under the orders of General Roberts, upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. CHILDERSNo, Sir; I have no knowledge of the plans to which the hon. Member refers; and I am also assured that there is no official information on the subject in the Indian Military Department.