§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information as to the state of affairs at Teheran and other parts of Persia.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI have little to add to the information already given 569 to the House. The Shah has issued a proclamation dissolving the Mejliss, and summoning another three months hence. Meanwhile, Teheran and other towns have been placed under martial law. Some persons have taken refuge, according to the custom of the country, in His Majesty's Legation; and this, coupled with the fact that the Shah has posted troops in the neighbourhood of the Legation, an improper proceeding against which His Majesty's Government have protested, is giving rise to correspondence with the Persian Government, as the refugees cannot be given up without definite and reliable guarantees for proper treatment. I am informed that some refugees are in other Legations. There are reports of disturbances at Tabriz and other places in the provinces, but all accounts agree that there is not danger to foreigners.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay I ask the date of the latest communication?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThat brings it down to the telegrams I have received this morning.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)What would the Government consider definite and reliable guarantees for the safety of these refugees? Would they take the word of the Shah?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYWe are now considering what guarantees we shall ask for.
§ MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W.R., Ripon)Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter portion of the Question I put yesterday, and to which I received no reply?
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot now ask yesterday's Question. He should put it down again if he wishes an Answer.