*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to state in what form Russia communicated to His Majesty's Government her desire to enter into direct communication with the Amir of Afghanistan; whether the correspondence is now complete and can be presented to Parliament; and whether Russian officers have as a fact made, direct communications to the Amir.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) RochesterThe communication was made by the Russian Embassy in London. The answer to the second Question is in the negative. His Majesty's Government are net aware that any direct communications have been made by Russian officers to the Amir.