§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What is the date of the latest assurance given by the Russian Government that Herat is outside the sphere of their influence?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI am not aware that there has been any question of Herat being beyond the frontiers of Afghanistan. Her Majesty's Government received on the 14th instant, from the Russian Ambassador, positive assurances that the report of a Russian advance to Herat is without foundation, and that it would be dishonourable to take such a step while negotiations were pending, and also a folly, as Afghanistan would thereby be set against Russia.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWill the noble Lord inform the House whether it was correctly stated that the Russians had taken Penjdeh; and also whether it is true, as stated in The Times, that Sir Peter Lumsden had in consequence retreated south of Herat?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; the Russians have not taken Penjdeh. The statement quoted as to Sir Peter Lumsden is incorrect. He was till recently at Bala Murghab; but he proposed leaving for Gulran in the Khomban Pass, and has now probably arrived there. This spot may, I think, be identified with that marked Gurlin on the best maps on the road from Ghurian to Merv, about 50 miles north of Herat.
§ MR. ONSLOWCan the Government say what Sir Peter Lumsden is doing at the present time?