§ MR. MACLEAN (Cardiff)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the agreement giving Russia priority of railway conces- 629 sions in Persia expires; and what stops Her Majesty's Government propose taking, at the expiration of this agreement, to place England on an equal footing with Russia as regards the construction of railways in Persia.
§ *MR. BRODRICKNo public announcement has been made as to the agreement in question, and it would be inexpedient for Her Majesty's Government to make a declaration as to their intentions.