MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, with a view to promote a stable peace in the East, His Majesty's Government are prepared to co-operate with other Powers in order to secure the independence of Persia and the development of her commercial and industrial resources by guaranteeing the neutrality of her territory; and whether His Majesty's Government will invite the Government of Persia and the European Governments represented at the Congress of Berlin to hold a Conference to consider the best means of attaining the objects set forth.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn answer to my hon. friend I have to say that I do not think any public advantage would be gained by the adoption of the step he suggests. My hon. friend probably has present to his mind the fact that there is in existence an agreement with Russia in connection with the integrity of Persia.