HC Deb 13 July 1909 vol 7 cc1834-5
Mr. A. H. SCOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state which of the demands formulated by the leaders of the Constitutionalist forces surrounding Tehran His Majesty's Government consider unreasonable; and on what grounds?

Sir E. GREY

This was answered in my reply to the question put by the hon. Member for East Mayo.

Mr. LYNCH

Can the right hon. Gentleman state which of the demands have been considered unreasonable by His Majesty's Government?

Sir E. GREY

I said there were only two of the demands which the British Minister at Tehran considered could be made the subject of representation by the two Legations. So far as I am aware I have said nothing at all about the other demands. I do not think it is my business to comment upon it.

Mr. LYNCH

On what grounds were the demands as a whole thought unadvisable by His Majesty's Government?

Sir E. GREY

It is not our business to say whether they are advisable or unadvisable. The question is whether we should take any part in supporting any of them. There were only two which came within the cognisance of the Legations.

Mr. LYNCH

Why were the others not taken into account?

Sir E. GREY

Because Northern Persia is not British territory.