§ MR. S. SMITHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can inform the House what is the present position of affairs as regards the Afridis and Lakka Khel tribes, against whom, 972 as authoritatively stated in the Indian Press, the spring campaign will begin on the 7th of March if they do not surrender immediately; what are the terms demanded of these tribes; and will the text of any proclamation issued by Sir William Lockhart be stated in Parliament before renewal of hostilities against those tribes?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAFour of the eight Afridi clans have paid the fines imposed, and of the Kuki Khels, all except the Rajgal have paid. The Lakka Khel Jirgahs, with the exception of one sub-division, the Pakhai, are reported to be assembling with a view to collecting fines. The terms of submission, involving the payment of fines and surrender of rifles, as shown on pages 33, 34, and 153 of Volume II. of the Blue Book, remain unaltered, and so long as there is good hope of their acceptance, operations will not be resumed, but in order that the tribes may not misunderstand the position, road-making has commenced from Barkai and Khyber. It is not intended that any fresh proclamation should be issued.