§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPONI wish to ask the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India a Question of which I have given him private Notice. In the course of last month reports reached this country that General Roberts had issued a Proclamation annexing the territory of the Khurum Valley to India. I understand it has been stated on behalf of the Government in "another place" that they are not in possession of any information on the subject. I am anxious to ask if that is the case; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government have caused inquiries to be made as to what grounds there are for the report?
§ VISCOUNT CRANBROOKWe have no information on the subject. A great many telegrams have been received; but there is nothing in them to indicate that such a transaction has taken place as that attributed to General Roberts. Of course, if such a thing had occurred, we should have taken the earliest opportunity of letting Parliament know.