§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the proposed new cantonment at Torawari, in the Miranzai Valley, is within or outside of the statutory boundary line of British India. What is the estimated cost of construction of the new outpost, together with the water supply to be provided for it, and what will be the annual cost of maintaining troops there; and has the military station at Wanaor any other cantonments and outposts set up since 1893 in the Waziristan country been withdrawn since August last, or have any of the regular troops formerly stationed in the transfrontier territory been brought back into India, in accordance with the policy of concentration on the true frontier of British India, as announced at various times during the last two years.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI am not aware of the precise significance which the hon. Member attaches to the expression "statutory boundary line," but the proposed new cantonment at Torawari lies well within the Durand boundary line that marks the Afghan-British frontier. No estimate can at present be given of the cost of the proposed cantonment. It has not so far been found expedient to withdraw the garrison of Wana, nor has any material reduction of the troops stationed at frontier outposts taken place since August last, but the policy indicated in the despatch of January, 1898, is being steadily and continuously advanced.