§ MR. BHOWNAGGREEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether his attention has been drawn to statements recently made in the Pioneer to the effect that a large illicit trade is carried on in ammunition between the regular Afghan soldiers and the tribesmen in Hindu Kush, and that during the Chitral campaign a consignment of Kabul made ammunition was sent into Bajour from the Sipah Salar's camp beyond Asmar; also that as regards Martini-Henry rifles the tribes had an abundant supply of cartridges, the majority of which had not come from India; and, whether any measures can be taken by the Government of India, through His Highness the Amir of Afghanistan, to check or prevent such 293 transfer of munitions of war to the tribesmen?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI have been unable to trace the statements in the Pioneer to which my hon. Friend refers, nor have I any official information on the subject. I will, however, make further inquiries.