§ MR. LABOUCHERETo ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any treaty between this country and Persia, or whether there exists any pledge given by Persia to this country, by which Persia is in any way restrained from dealing with her territories on the Persian Gulf or in any other part of her dominions as she pleases; and, if there does exist any such treaty or pledge which has not already been laid upon the Table of the House, whether it will be so laid.
(Answered by Lord Cranborne.) There is no treaty of the kind indicated, but in regard to Southern Persia, His Majesty's Government enjoy certain rights admitted by the Persian Government. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, there is an agreement between this country and Russia for the maintenance of the integrity and independence of Persia.