§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government are in possession of a copy of the Russo-Persian Treaty; and, if so, whether such copy will be laid on the Table, together with the other Papers relating thereto?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE, in reply, said, Her Majesty's Government were now in possession of the Treaty, which would be laid before the House. The Papers passed out of the Foreign Office more than 10 days ago, and the delay had been caused by the difficulty in reproducing a map. The map had been drawn on stone by the Intelligence Department of the War Office, and copies were being struck off by the contractors under the direction of the Stationery Office. As a large number were required, great delay had been caused; 895 but the Foreign Office had pressed the Stationery Office for the production of the map; and he could only express his regret that the Papers were not forthcoming earlier. The Treaty would also be laid at once; but the Papers to which he had referred contained all the necessary information.