MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will be in a position to make a statement as to the effect upon British interests of the treaty recently concluded between France and Siam.
§ MR. RUNCIMANUnder the terms of the treaty the three Siamese provinces of Battamberg, Siem-Reap, and Sisophon are ceded to France, and the right to hold land in Siam is granted in certain cases to French citizens and protegés; France cedes to Siam in return the districts of Dansai and Kratt, together with the islands to the south of Cape Lemling as far as, and including, Kokut; she also surrenders certain rights of extra-territorial jurisdiction in Siam. The exchange of territory described above has taken place within the sphere of French interests, as described by the Declaration of April, 1904, agreed on between Great Britain and France; and His Majesty's Government do not anticipate that British interests in the Far East will be politically affected. Questions of safeguarding the commercial interests of British subjects, who may have concessions in the districts exchanged, will be considered if occasion arises.