HC Deb 08 March 1898 vol 54 cc982-3
MR. J. M. MACLEAN (Cardiff)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if all the letters and telegrams relating to the abandonment of the Khyber Pass and to the Shabkadder incident were published in the recent Blue Book; and, if not, will he lay the whole correspondence upon the Table?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

It was not possible, with due regard to the limitations of space, to print more than a fraction of the correspondence received by me, but I laid before the House as full a collection of letters and telegrams upon the subjects mentioned by the hon. Member for Cardiff as a consideration of public interest and convenience enabled me to do. I do not propose at present to add to the Papers already presented, but in the course of the next few weeks a fresh Blue Book may be expected.

MR. MACLEAN

May I ask the noble Lord if he is aware that Lord Roberts yesterday described the failure to hold the Khyber Pass as incomprehensible?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The Question on the Paper is whether all the letters were published, and, if not, will the whole correspondence be laid? The hon. Member cannot argue on that.

MR. MACLEAN

No, Sir; I am not arguing.