HC Deb 18 May 1899 vol 71 cc915-6
SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, whether it has been decided to reduce the garrison at Chitral; whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing this garrison altogether from Chitral and Gilgit; and, if he could state what saving would be effected by such withdrawal.

LORD G. HAMILTON

My answer to the first clause of this question is in the affirmative. As to the possibility of with- drawing the garrison altogether, I can only say that no proposal of that kind is before me, nor can I give any undertaking of the kind which the honourable Baronet desires. I am not able, without a reference to India, to state accurately what saving would be effected by such withdrawal.