MR. GIBSON BOWLESI bog to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs did Lord Curzon at his recent visit to Bushire, insist that the Prince Governor General of Shiraz should come off in a boat to the Viceroy's ship, and accompany him to the shore, instead of receiving him on the beach as proposed; was this demand authorised by His Majesty's Government; and is it to be regarded as a precedent in future.
§ * EARL PERCYThe answer to the first paragraph of the Question is in the negative. I have already informed the hon. Member that Lord Curzon's action was unfortunately rendered necessary by the inadequacy of the arrangements locally made to carry out the hospitable intentions of His Majesty the Shah. Under these circumstances no question of precedent arises.