MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Commercial Treaty has been recently concluded between Persia and Russia; whether, under the provisions of that Treaty, duties so high as to be practically prohibitive have been imposed on Indian teas imported into Persia; and what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to protect British trade in Persia.
§ LORD CRANBORNEThe answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. Although, as I stated last night, this Commercial Treaty is likely to affect British trade injuriously in certain respects, we have no reason to believe that it will have anything like the effects which the hon. Gentleman suggests. A large part of the Indian tea 497 used in Persia is imported through Russia, and it is not likely that the tariff will prove to be prohibitive as regards this particular article. Great Britain is at present entitled only to "Most-Favoured-Nation" treatment in Persia, but His Majesty's Minister at Teheran has been instructed to obtain an arrangement with the Persian Government under which this country will, for the future, have a more influential voice in regard to alterations in the tariff affecting British trade. I hope shortly to be in a position to make a further statement on the subject.