Seistan Water Channels Award.

HC Deb 29 March 1906 vol 154 c1533

MR. T. HART-DAVIES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Persian Government has refused to accept Colonel MacMahon's award regarding the Seistan water channels; and, if so, whether, under treaty, it is obligatory on Persia to accept such an award; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

The Persian Government have refused to accept Colonel MacMahon's award. Under the arrangement come to in November, 1902, it was agreed that if the Persian Government did not accept the award, the question should be referred to the final decision of His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Persian Government have now been requested to submit a reasoned statement of their objections to the award.