§ VISCOUNT CRANBROOKI should like to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give the House any information as to the news in regard to Afghanistan which appears in the morning's papers?
§ EARL GRANVILLEWith regard to the telegram which has appeared in The Standard of this morning, I am informed by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for India that he has received no information which confirms it; but he has received a telegram from the Viceroy of a later date. The telegram is—
§ "From Viceroy, August 27, 1880.
§ "Following from Sandeman, Quetta, dated August 27:—' I have received information that Ayoob Khan has withdrawn his army from the positions taken up in front of Candahar, and has retired to Sangiri, eight miles west of Candahar. Roberts arrived at Khelat-i-Ghilzai on the 24th.' I have received a letter dated Khelat-i-Ghilzai, the 19th."