10. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position as regards the Afridis on the Indian frontier; whether they have agreed to terms; and whether the road and defence works are being continued unmolested?
§ Mr. BENNNo settlement has yet been reached with the Afridis but there is some reason to believe that the peace party among them is growing in influence. The road and defence works are being continued with very little interference from the Afridis. Since the 1st January detachments of our troops have been actively engaged on only three occasions with small parties of tribesmen.
Brigadier-General BROWNIn view of the dangerous time in the coming summer, is the Commander-in-Chief satisfied that he has adequate forces to deal with any trouble that does break out?
§ Mr. BENNThose were the plans which were prepared and considered appropriate, and they are being carried through, I am glad to say, without trouble.