HC Deb 12 March 1885 vol 295 cc885-6
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the important letter from The Times Correspondent with Sir Peter Lumsden's Mission in Afghanistan, which appeared in that paper on the 3rd March, and especially to the following extracts:— I have pointed out the great strategical importance of Pul-i-Khatun, a place which has always been considered Afghan, and beyond the pale of discussion. Another important position is Penjdeh, in the valley of the Murghab. Its inhabitants have always been subject to Afghanistan, and it is occupied by an Afghan garrison. Russia does not desire the definition of the Afghan frontier, for it will put an end to her successful system of stealthy encroachment. … Three years ago the nearest Russian outposts on the road from the Caspian were at Krasnovodsk and Chikishlar, 700 miles from Herat; now they are at Pul-i-Khatun, only 150 miles from Herat. Three years ago the nearest Russian outposts on the road from the Oxus and Merv were at Katra Kurghan, say 500 miles from Herat; now they are at Tolatan, 140 miles from Herat. Nearly all this progress has been made by unopposed encroachments since we evacuated Kandahar; whether it is true that the Russian troops have occupied Zulfagar, 40 miles south of Pul-i-Khatun, Ak-Eabat, and Penjdeh (all four places being on Afghan territory); whether any further advance has been recently made beyond these places, where Sir Peter Lumsden's force now is stationed; and, whether he can now, consistently with the public interest, state that Her Majesty's Ministers intend to protect the absolute integrity of all Afghan territory, including these important positions, from Russian occu- pation and influence, in accordance with their own pledges and those of the Czar's Government? The hon. Member intimated that he would not press for an answer if the right hon. Gentleman should not consider it consistent with the interests of the Public Service to give one. The Question had been on the Paper for 10 days; but he was quite willing to wait until it could be conveniently answered.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHOOTE

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, he will, perhaps, also reply to a communication made to him by myself, in which I stated that I also intended to put a Question of a general character on this subject—namely, whether the Government have any information which they can properly communicate to the House? And I am anxious to take this opportunity of disabusing the minds of some persons of the impression that Her Majesty's Government take unusual steps to communicate with the Opposition on this subject.

MR. GLADSTONE

I am glad to hear the words that have fallen from the right hon. Gentleman, because I think he was quite right to remove any misapprehension that may prevail on the subject, though the rumour of which he speaks did not happen to have reached me, and I was not cognizant of it. I thank the hon. Gentleman the Member for Eye also for his disposition to wait, pending the course of proceedings in this extremely important matter, until the time shall be ripe for an answer. There is nothing I could communicate to the House at the present moment which would substantially improve the hon. Member's information. All I would beg of the hon. Gentleman and the House is to accept my assurances that the subject has the constant and unfailing attention of Her Majesty's Government.