§ SIR BRAMPTON GURDON (Norfolk, N.)To ask the Secretary of State for India what is the distance by road from the British-Indian frontier to the chief town of the Khan of Dir; whether the movable column, under orders to proceed from Malakshand to intervene between that Chief and the Khan of Nowagai, has already marched; and whether the Khan of Dir receives any subsidy from the Indian Government.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The distance from Dargai to Dir is about ninety miles. At the end of December a movable column was ordered to be in readiness to move to Chandara if required, but I have received no information that the necessity has arisen. In 1895 an agreement was made with the father of the present Nawab of Dir under which, in return for certain services, he received a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 a year. The present Nawab has been recognised by the Government of India, and presumably the arrangement with his father holds good.