§ MR. GIBSONasked the Under Secretary of State for India, When was Sir Peter Lumsden appointed on the Afghanistan Boundary Commission; what were the terms and tenure of his appointment; is his appointment over by his recall to London; what is the date of the letter or telegram summoning him to London; when Sir Peter Lumsden and Colonel Stewart leave Afghanistan, will any of their subordinate English officers remain; and, if so, what is to be their office and function; and, what is to become of the troops employed to escort Sir Peter Lumsden's Mission? He also wished to ask whether the Earl of Dufferin approved of the recall or withdrawal of Sir Peter Lumsden?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE(who replied) said: Sir Peter Lumsden's 1848 formal appointment bears the date of the 25th of August last, and nominated him as Her Majesty's Commissioner for the demarcation of the North-West boundary of Afghanistan. The instruction sent to him does not cancel his appointment, but requests his presence in London. It was despatched by telegraph on the 4th instant. Colonel Ridgway will remain in charge of the Commission, with Captain Yate and other officers as his assistants. Their office will be to examine and trace on the spot the details of the line of frontier under the conditions agreed upon in London. With regard to the future employment of the escort nothing is yet definitely settled.
§ MR. GIBSONHas Sir Peter Lumsden been summoned to London to assist Her Majesty's Government on the question of the frontier?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir. The facts have already been stated by the Prime Minister.
§ MR. ONSLOWasked, Whether the escort which accompanied Sir Peter Lumsden will remain on the frontier of Afghanistan, or will at once return to India; what officers will remain to deliminate the frontier with the Russian Commissioner; and, whether the Ameer is to be represented on the new Commission; and, if so, whether his Representative will have an equal voice with the English and Russian Commissioner in the settlement of the frontier line? The hon. Member desired also to ask the Prime Minister, Whether the initial step for the withdrawal of Sir Peter Lumsden came from this country or from Sir Peter Lumsden; and if from the latter, how long ago had he tendered his registration to Her Majesty's Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo time has yet been fixed for the return of the escort to India. A portion of it will, in any case, remain to attend Colonel Ridgway and Captain Yate, who will carry on the work of the Commission. There will be no change in the position of the Ameer's Representative.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFHas any explanation been received from the Russian Government as to the reasons which prevented General Zelenoy from meeting Sir Peter Lumsden?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe hon. Member in putting the Ques- 1849 tion is attempting to anticipate the information which will be in possession of the House when Papers on the subject are laid on the Table.
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONWhen will the Papers be laid on the Table?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI cannot give the exact date; but I will present the Papers as soon as possible.
§ MR. ONSLOWsaid, the noble Lord had stated that there had been no change in the position of the Ameer's Representative; but the House had never been informed what the position of the Ameer's Representative was. Perhaps the noble Lord would now explain what the position was?