§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official informa-
†See (4) Debates, clxxii., 1562610 tion of the British consulate at Kermanshah having been fired upon by Persians; whether any British-Indian garrison is maintained at this consulate; and what steps he intends to take to secure the safety of British subjects in that town.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (SIR EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)The Answer to the first Question is in the affirmative, but the fire was directed not against Englishmen but against Persian Party opponents, who had taken refuge in the Consulate. The Persian Government have expressed profound regret, and sent very strong orders to the Governor to punish the guilty persons and prevent a repetition of the outrage. The British Indian detachment at Kermanshah consists of one duffadar and seven sowars. No further steps appear necessary at present to secure the safety of British subjects.
§ MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W.R., Ripon)asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he had any official information that Salar-ed-Dauleh, the brother of the Shah, had taken refuge at the British Embassy at Kermanshah, claiming asylum for himself and family; and, if so, what course the Government proposed to take in the matter.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI have not got any information that the Prince has taken refuge at Kermanshah. If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Paper, I will make inquiry.