HC Deb 07 July 1908 vol 191 c1460
MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish Papers on the affairs of Persia; and whether he will cause to be included in such Papers a Memorandum of the exchange of views which took place at the recent meeting at Reval and any communications addressed by the Shah of Persia to His Majesty the King in reference to recent events in Teheran. Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is true that the British Legation was again beset by Persian troops the day before yesterday?

SIR EDWARD GREY

It is not intended to publish Papers if, as I hope, the question of the refugees in the British Legation is satisfactorily settled.

MR. DILLON

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my Question.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I cannot make any further announcement, except that we have protested against the proceedings of the troops concerning the Legation. I hope that the matter will be satisfactorily adjusted, but it is not yet concluded.

MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W.R., Ripon)

Are we to understand that no Papers on Persia are to be published before the Foreign Office Vote is debated?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I cannot promise Papers, but when the discussion takes place, I shall be prepared to make a statement with regard to the position of the Government.