HC Deb 02 July 1908 vol 191 cc957-8
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British consulate at Teheran is surrounded by Persian troops and all persons examined who pass in or out; and whether he can now state the nature of the securities which will be required before any refugees now in the consulate will be surrendered to the Shah's Government.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The Persian troops who surrounded His Majesty's legation at Teheran have now been withdrawn. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, we require a written guarantee of the safety of the lives, persons, and property of refugees before requesting them to leave the legation; and in the case of any accused of crimes as distinct from political offences an assurance before surrendering them, that they should have a fair trial at which a member of the legation would be present.