§ EARL GRANVILLEYour Lordships must have thought me, during the observations with which I troubled you last night, of a somewhat inquiring turn of mind. I asked many Questions of Her Majesty's Government, none of which—as sometimes happens to me—were answered. I remember that Lord Lansdowne (the third Marquess) was much amused by an Irish Peer, after asking a witness a question in a Committee, telling him that he asked the question because he knew what the answer would be. I have no idea how some of the Questions which I asked yesterday might be answered, and probably Her Majesty's Government are in the same predicament; but there is one Question which related to a matter of fact, which I take the liberty to repeat. Your Lordships will remember that in the despatch of the Secretary of State for India describing the policy of the war in Afghanistan the objects were stated to be that that country should be "strong, friendly, and independent." Yesterday, the First Lord of the Treasury described the results of the war, and he interrupted me while I was speaking—as he had a perfect right to do—and said he had not used the words "strong" and "friendly"—which I admit it would have been impossible for him to say—but "independent" and "self-governed." I asked for further information as to how this desirable end was to be obtained, and also asked whether there had been any communications with the Russian Government on the subject; and, if so, whether with any result, and if that result could be communicated to Parliament without inconvenience to the Public Service? It will not be thought unreasonable if I now repeat the Question.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThere are some communications which are now in the hands of the printer; but which, I hope, will be in your Lordships' hands before long. I am afraid I did not hear all the Questions which the noble Earl put; but perhaps he had better wait before discussing the question of communications with Russia on the subject until the Papers have been produced.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am afraid the noble Marquess only entered the House as I was finishing my Question. It is, whether there has been any result to the communications with Russia on the subject of Afghanistan; and, if so, whether he has any objection to communicate it to Parliament? If the noble Marquess thinks there is any objection, I am the last person to press him for an answer.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThere were some communications with Russia just about the time Parliament separated for the short Recess. The result of those communications was the withdrawal of the Mission from Cabul. The nature of those communications will be explained by the Papers, which, I hope, will be in the hands of the noble Earl in a day or two.