§ 1. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any further information regarding the state of affairs in Afghanistan and the negotiations now being carried on between the Afghan Government and the Bolshevik authorities in Moscow; and whether any Afghan forces are now in occupation of territory in the tribal area on the British side of the North-West Frontier of India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. An Afghan colonel who with a few Irregulars penetrated into Wana, in Waziristan, during the hostilities with Afghanistan, is understood to be practically detained with his men as hostages by the tribesmen owing to their dissatisfaction with the Afghans for making peace without obtaining an amnesty for them.
§ Colonel YATECan the right hon. Gentleman give us any news of the negotiations in Moscow between the Afghans and the Bolshevists?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am afraid I am not in a position to give any information at present, but perhaps the hon. and gallant Member would put a question down on another day.