§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what is the state of the proceedings at Aden as regards the Boundary Commission, and what progress is being made; who is responsible for its proceedings; and when will it be possible to lay Papers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe proceedings of our Boundary Commission in delimiting the frontier between the tribes under our protection and the territory of the Ottoman Empire have not been as rapid as could be wished, as the Commission have had to contend with difficulties of an altogether exceptional character and with obstruction against which His Majesty's Government have been compelled more than once to protest. The survey of the territory of the Amir of Dthali has, however, now been completed, and the Report of the British Commissioners on that survey is under the consideration of His Majesty's Government. I hope that an agreement will shortly be arrived at with the Turkish Government as to the general direction of the line to be adopted for the frontier, which will then be demarcated on the spot by the Turkish and British Commissioners. The proceedings of the British Commission on the spot are primarily under the control of the Government of India, while the negotiations with the Turkish Government are in the hands of His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, and under the conduct of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Every effort will be made by His Majesty's 792 Government to expedite the conclusion of the work upon which the Commission are engaged, but until it is concluded, I cannot undertake to lay Papers on the Table of the House.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEHow long will it be necessary to retain the extra troops there?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONI cannot say. They are kept there as a matter of precaution, and will, I suppose, stay as long as the Commission is there.