§ MR. BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a concession of the petroliferous deposits in Mesopotamia was granted by the Porte on the 4th–17th July, 1904; that this concession was given on that day to the Company of the Ottoman Railway of Anatolia, represented by Mr. Zander, in conformity with an Iradé of the Sultan; whether he is aware if such concession is still in force; and whether, if he has no information on the subject, he will make inquiry by telegraph of His Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI have nothing to add to my statement of 22nd instant,‡ and I am not of opinion that any useful purpose would be served by telegraphing to His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople. I cannot publish private information about concessions.