§ 4. Mr. LYLEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a full statement as to the real situation in the Afghanistan fighting, bringing matters up to date?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me to the hon. and gallant Member for Stirling and Clackmannan on Thursday, the 10th instant. Except for affairs of outposts, there is now no fighting with the Afghans, and we have every reason to hope that the Afghan Peace Delegates will present themselves at our lines on the 22nd instant.
§ 8. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Secretary of State for India if it is intended to allow the present ruler of Afghanistan to retain his throne in view of his recent unprovoked attack upon British territory?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs the House is aware, the Amir has asked for an Armistice, and it is hoped that peace negotiations will shortly be opened. Our object is to secure our frontiers against a recurrence of such unprovoked attacks; but it is not our present intention to express any opinion as to who the future ruler of Afghanistan shall be.
§ 12. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India when the Papers regarding Afghanistan, including the full text of the communications from the Amir and of the Viceroy's replies, will be laid before the House?
§ Mr. MONTAGUPapers will be laid as soon as possible. Having regard to the negotiations at present on foot, I cannot indicate the precise date.