§ 7. Mr. DALTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India for what reason, or on what principle, the expenses of the British Legation at Kabul are paid for wholly out of Indian and not out of British revenues?
§ Earl WINTERTONUntil recently Afghanistan was in relations with the Government of India only, and the cost of representation at Kabul was naturally met from Indian revenues. Although direct diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Great Britain have now been established, India is still vitally interested in them, and no revision of the incidence of expenditure has hitherto been considered to be called for.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs such a revision contemplated in the incidence of the expense of Kabul in the near future?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, Sir. There is no contemplated alteration of the existing arrangement.
§ Mr. DALTONIs not the British Government as deeply interested in relation to Afghanistan as in relation to other countries where we have to pay the costs of Consuls?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must ask for notice of that question. I am more concerned with the matter from the Indian point of view.