HC Deb 27 May 1892 vol 5 cc41-2
MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Mr. Talbot who received the concession for a tobacco monopoly in Persia is the same person who has stood for some years, and still stands, on the official list as Supervisor of the Store Department of the Secretary of State for India in London; whether he was in possession of that appointment when he obtained the concession; whether he obtained the concession with the cognizance of the India Office; and, if so, under what rule of the Service; and whether any action has been taken in regard to his position at the India Office since the facts as to his obtaining the concession have been made known?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

The answer to the hon. Member's question is "No."

MR. SEYMOUR KEAY

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the name of the concessionaire of the Persian Tobacco Monopoly is G. H. Talbot, who is the brother of Major A. C. Talbot, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and whether he possesses military rank; and, if so, in what corps?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. J. W. LOWTHER,) Cumberland, Penrith

The Foreign Office has no special knowledge with regard to the military rank or the corps of the gentleman in question. Perhaps the hon. Member will find the information for which he seeks in the Army List, or he might obtain it from the War Office.

MR. KEAY

What about the initials?

MR. LOWTHER

I believe the initials of the gentleman referred to are G. F., not G. H. I thought it was a misprint.