§ MR. ONSLOWasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether there is any truth in the report that the Government of India intend to grant an annual subsidy to the Ameer of Afghanistan; and, if so, under what conditions?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSI am afraid, Sir, I can add nothing at present to the information which I gave the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Salt) on Thursday last. The India Office has not yet received the details of any arrangements which may have been arrived at between the Government of India and the Ameer.
§ MR. ONSLOWasked whether the Under Secretary had telegraphed for information; whether any ammunition was to be given to the Ameer; and whether there was any truth in the report that the grant was conditional on the Ameen's acting in the interests of the Indian Government, and in a spirit of general friendliness; and, if that was the case, could he inform the House what was the exact meaning of the words—
Acting in conformity with the interests of the Indian Government, and in a spirit of general friendliness?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSI am somewhat astonished at that Question, especially when I have just said that the India Office have not received the details of any arrangement which may have been arrived at between the Government of India and the Government of the Ameer.
§ MR. ONSLOWThe hon. Gentleman has not said whether any telegram has been sent.
§ MR. J. K. CROSSNo, Sir; no telegram has been sent. When any arrangement has been arrived at, I have not the slightest doubt that the Indian Government will at once inform the India Office of it.