HC Deb 27 March 1885 vol 296 c838
MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is true that the question whether Penjdeh was Afghan territory or not was specially mentioned in the instructions of Sir Peter Lumsden as one on which the Joint Commission would have to decide; and, whether Sir Peter Lumsden had full authority, if he thought the evidence pointed that way, to assign Penjdeh to Russia?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

For the reasons which I have already stated in this House, I regret that I am unable to give to my hon. Friend the information for which he asks respecting Sir Peter Lumsden's instructions.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

Assuming, as I do, that the noble Lord has seen the six categorical statements in a journal of great importance in this country, am I to understand that the noble Lord will decline to give an answer to any one of these Questions?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I need hardly say I very much regret not to be able to meet the wishes of my hon. Friend; but I have explained to the House, on several previous occasions, the reasons which, up to the present time, make it impossible for the Government to make partial communications in regard to the particular questions now being discussed between Russia and Afghanistan.