§ 3. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for India whether, having regard to the constant raids into the North-west Frontier Province of India extending to the murder and capture of British officers, the Government of India has formulated any definite and permanent policy for dealing with the frontier; and, if so, when it may be hoped that these raids will cease?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs a result of the Afghan War, and of the part played in it by some of the tribes, military operations have been undertaken against the Mahsuds and Wazirs with complete success. The Mahsuds have taken contracts for road-making, and considerable numbers of them are now engaged in that peaceful occupation. The Wazirs have accepted the terms imposed by the Government of India. A railway is being constructed in the Kyber. The frontier militias have been re arranged and the distribution of regular troops re-arranged. And other measures have been, and are being, taken with the object of securing more stable conditions on the frontier. It may be hoped that the combined effect of these measures will eventually be to reduce, if not to prevent entirely, the number of raids, but I can, of course, name no date.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHas the railway actually been commenced through 1221 the Khyber, and is the policy of railways and roads to be extended to other parts of the frontier as opportunity offers?
§ Mr. MONTAGURoad-making is the best security, I think, against raids. I am not quite sure whether the railway has actually been commenced, but I think it has. I am informed that it was to be commenced last month. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question.