HC Deb 16 April 1883 vol 278 cc322-3
MR. DIXON-HARTLAND

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to a letter addressed to the "Times" of the 6th April by Sir Lepel Griffin, entitled "Liberal Policy in Afghanistan," and which contains the following paragraph:— Our obvious interests demand the early construction of a broad gauge railway to Quetta, and the enlargement and strengthening of that important position, so as to enable it to command Candahar and the surrounding districts. The Ameer whom we placed on the throne in August 1880 is no more friendly than his predecessors were, and Russian intrigue is as unceasing and audacious to-day in Afghanistan as it was in the days of Shere Ali; and, whether Her Majesty's Government propose taking any, and, if so, what steps to carry out the measure so strongly recommended as absolutely necessary by a gentleman who describes himself as— The person chiefly concerned with the political arrangements in that country, under Both the late and present Administrations?

MR. GLADSTONE

In answer to the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that Her Majesty's Government do not in any manner adopt the statement in the passage quoted by the hon. Member, and have not arrived at any decision to extend the railway in question.