§ Mr. REESasked whether an armistice was granted to Tabriz in consequence of the intervention of the representatives at the Court of the Shah of Great Britain and Russia; and whether, seeing that such armistice gave an advantage to the Parliamentary forces, he would explain the reason for this intervention in the domestic politics of Persia?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODThe reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The reason for this step was to facilitate the provision of food for the foreign subjects at Tabriz, who were in imminent peril of starvation, and to avert an attack upon the foreign Consulates which had been threatened.
§ Mr. REESWas an effort made to obtain a safe conduct for these Europeans, which would have been equally or more efficacious?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODEvery effort was made to supply food to Tabriz without the intervention of foreign troops.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWho was it that made the attack on the Consulates was it the Nationalist or the Royalist troops?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODAn attack was threatened from the starving population.
§ Mr. REESMay I ask whether an effort was made to obtain a safe conduct out of Tabriz for the European population, and whether on the refusal of that these steps were taken?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODWill the hon. Member be good enough to put down a question on the point?
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWas there any arrangement as to the terms or limit of the occupation?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI am not sure that there will be an occupation; possibly the introduction of food will do away with the necessity.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYHas food been supplied to Tabriz?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODNot yet, I believe.
§ Mr. REESasked whether any British subjects in Tabriz were actively aiding the Parliamentary as against the Royalist forces, and, if so, whether such British subjects would be duly arraigned under the Foreign Enlistment Act?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODIt is reported that one British subject was taking an active part on the side of the Nationalists. I am not aware of any provision of the Foreign Enlistment Act which, in present circumstances, would apply to such a case.
§ Mr. SMEATONIs it not a fact that the Foreign Enlistment Act applies only to British subjects who enlist in the military service of a foreign State at war with a State friendly to this country, and that it does not apply, and cannot apply, to a population struggling for freedom against a tyrannical monarch?
§ Mr. REESIs a British subject blameless in taking part in a domestic quarrel of this sort, in which the Government of his country is pledged not to interfere?