§ MR. E. STANHOPEasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether the Ameer Abdurrahman still persists in claiming, as stated in his letter of December 11th 1880, that the subsidy promised to him by the Government of India was one million sterling; what was the amount actually promised by Sir Lepel Griffin; and, what is the total amount already paid?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThere is no reason to suppose that the Ameer persists in making the claim alluded to in the Question; at least, so far as the Correspondence in the possession of Her Majesty's Government shows. At all events, there is no foundation for the claim. The sum which was promised by Sir Lepel Griffin to the Ameer was between 19 and 20 lacs, including 9½ lacs found in the Cabul Treasury before His Highness's accession; 19½ lacs were paid to him in 1880. The total sum of money already paid to the Ameer is about 41½ lacs, the particulars of which will be found in the Return laid on the Table on the Motion of the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. Onslow).