§ *MR. REESI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the India Office has information to the effect that another large caravan of arms is in transit through Persian Baluchistan to the Afghan frontier; and whether it is proposed, by strengthening our patrol in the Persian Gulf, or by representation to the Sultan of Muscat, to deal with a state of affairs which is a menace to the North-West frontier.
§ MR. BUCHANANThe Answer to the first Question is in the negative; the last caravan of which the Secretary of State has information must have reached its destination some weeks ago. Every possible means is taken by action on the coast and otherwise to stop the traffic, and, as was stated by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 30th June, the question of the traffic at Muscat is engaging the attention of the Conference now sitting at Brussels.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)Can the right hon. Gentleman say from what country the arms conveyed by this caravan came?
§ MR. BUCHANANI am unable to say.
AN HON. MEMBERsuggested that the Government should send the hon. Member for Montgomery Boroughs out to patrol the Persian Gulf, or to act as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Sultan of Muscat.