§ MR. ONSLOWasked the Under Secretary of State for India, How it is that no correspondence or telegrams sent from this Country to the Government of India, prior to the telegram of July 24th, has been circulated with the Papers, Indian Contingent (Egypt) Expenses; whether any correspondence or telegrams passed between the Home Government and the Indian Government from the date of the Despatch from the Secretary of State for India to the Governor General in Council (October 5th 1882); and, whether he could not furnish the telegram of the 16th of February and the reply of the Government of India of the 19th of February, alluded to in the Despatch of Lord Kimberley of the 22nd of February?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSSir, no Correspondence or telegrams regarding the incidence of the charge for the Indian Contingent passed between the Secretary of State and the Government of India before the 24th of July, 1882. All the despatches which passed on the subject are contained in the Papers. No telegrams passed other than those mentioned in the Papers, except one on the 20th of February, confirming that of the 16th of January. It is not the practice to give cipher telegrams exactly as sent. They must either be re-arranged, as is done with those of the 24th and 26th of July, or given in substance only, as with those of the 16th and 19th of January. I have the telegrams in my hand, and they are quite at the service of my hon. Friend.