§ MR. ASHMEAD BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Afghan troops have retired from Meruchak and other positions to Herat, leaving the valleys of the Murghab and the Khusk Rivers open to Herat; and, whether Captain Yate's account of the attack of the Russian Commander upon the Afghans on March 31st has been confirmed by Sir Peter Lumsden?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe latest information received from Sir Peter Lumsden is to the effect that the Afghan Forces retreating from Penjdehwere, on the 10th instant, partly at Kaleh Nan and partly at Kushk. In reply to the second part of the Question, I believe a similar inquiry is likely to be made by the right hon. Gentleman opposite of the Prime Minister.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWill the noble Lord state, in reply to the third line of the Question, whether this retirement of the Afghan Forces, "leaving the valleys of the Murghab and the Kushk rivers open to Herat," has been completed? I understand Kushk is close to Herat. Is that so?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI understand that this is a matter of military opinion, on which I am not competent to pronounce.