§ SIR A. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Secretary of State for India whether Afghan troops are at present in occupation of territory within the British sphere of influence; what British or Indian troops have been dispatched to deal with the situation; whether any conflict with Afghans has taken place; and whether this country is at war with Afghanistan?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Melton. No troops have been dispatched to deal with these Afghans, other than those engaged in punitive operations against the tribesmen of Waziristan, and 525W no conflict has, so far as I am aware, taken place with any Afghans. The answer to the last pact of the question is in the negative.