§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Russian Forces have seized the Salt Lakes of Er Oilau, upon which the whole surrounding districts, Afghan as well as Persian and Turcoman, are dependent for their salt supply?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe Russian outposts are stationed to the south of the Salt Lakes of Kungreli, in the vicinity of Akrobat.
§ MR. ASHMEAD - BARTLETTDo I understand the noble Lord to say they are in possession of those lakes?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI fan only give the information which I 1109 possess, which is that the Russian outposts are to the south of these lakes.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTDoes this occupation constitute afresh Russian advance? I also wish to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Paper—namely, Whether the Russian Government have consented to withdraw their forces from Zulfagar, Ak-Rabat, and Pul-i-Khisti, which are within Afghan territory; and, if not, what steps Her Majesty's Ministry intend to take to maintain the rights of the Amir of Afghanistan?
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI wish to ask whether the British Government have consented to the withdrawal of their force from the Pishin Valley; and whether the Russian Government have made any fussy or hysterical representations to Her Majesty's Government in regard to the occupation of Afghan territory?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe Question asked by the hon. Member (Mr. Arthur O'Connor) ought properly to be put to my hon. Friend the Under Secretary for India. In regard to the first Question of the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Ashmead-Bartlett), I did not mean that the position of the Russian outposts, to which I have alluded as being south of these lakes, does constitute an advance. In regard to the Question on the Paper, I am afraid I must decline, as I did yesterday, and on several previous occasions, to enter into a discussion of these topics with the hon. Member. I need hardly say I am very sorry from day to day to give a reply which by repetition may almost seem discourteous; but I am sure the House will feel the difficulty I am placed in by their constant repetition.