HC Deb 17 March 1885 vol 295 c1437
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can state what point the Russian Railway from the Caspian towards Sarakhs has reached; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have information as to the movement of Russian forces from Samarcand towards Balkh?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I am not able to say to what exact point the railway is now in working order; but it is being pushed forward to Aska-bad. Her Majesty's Government have no information as to the movement of Russian troops towards Balkh.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Are we really to understand that at this crisis Her Majesty's Government have no accurate information with regard to the exact position to which the Russian railway is completed?

[No reply.]

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I will repeat this Question on Monday next.

MR. ONSLOW

gave Notice that he would ask whether Her Majesty's Government could not obtain some information upon this subject from the British Minister at Teheran?