HC Deb 03 November 1908 vol 195 cc963-4
CAPTAIN ARTHUR MURRAY (Kincardineshire)

I beg to ask the Under- Secretary of State for India whether it is intended to establish a regular postal and telegraph service between India and Lhassa; and, if so, what steps, if any, have been taken in the matter.

MR. BUCHANAN

His Majesty's Government have no intention of taking any steps, in existing circumstances, with a view to the establishment of a postal and telegraph service between India and Lhassa.

SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

May I ask if under the Convention which exists between England and Russia a telegraph service can be established between India and Lhassa without the assent of the Russian Government?

MR. BUCHANAN

Under that Convention both England and Russia stipulate that they will not take advantage of any concessions for telegraphs without the assent of the other.