§ 1. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in view of the fact that, during the rebellion in Afghanistan, the Government of India has on two separate occasions provided aerial transport for two ex-Kings of that country, he has any statement to make as to the reasons for such action?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)The hon. Member will understand that it is my duty to answer this question. Ex-King Inayatulla was conveyed in a British aeroplane from Kabul to Peshawar, and by rail from Peshawar to Chaman, whence he re-entered Afghanistan, at the request of the ex-King himself and of the Amir Habibulla who asked His Majesty's Minister to arrange with the Government of India for this to be done in order that further bloodshed at Kabul might be avoided. The ex-King's departure was followed by the peaceful surrender of the citadel. Transport by air was neither requested by, nor provided for, King Amanulla.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this King was taking part in civil warfare in Afghanistan?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat point does not arise from this question.
§ Mr. THURTLEI submit that the point which I am making does arise. This King was actually participating in civil warfare, and is it not a fact that by assisting in his rescue, we were in fact participating in the internal affairs of Afghanistan?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The hon. Member, if he had caught my 572 answer, could not have formed that impression. Ex-King Inayatulla was removed in this way at the request both of himself and of the Amir Habibulla in order to save bloodshed in Kabul.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the man Habibulla, who was a rebel in the act of rebellion, was in official communication with the British Government, and that the British Government were actually lending weight to his suggestions?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government have carefully refrained from any interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Being asked by both the parties to give facilities for the removal of Ex-King Inayatulla in order to save bloodshed in Kabul, they thought it right to do so.
§ Mr. WELLOCKConsidering the persistent rumours that obtain in regard to British relations on the Afghan frontier, do the Government intend to make a full statement on this issue, which is very important?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question or the answer.