§ Mr. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has any means of ascertaining the desires of the Persian people generally and has any certain proof that they do prefer a constitution of the Western European parliamentary pattern to a constitution in conformity with their sacred law, to which they have for ages been accustomed?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government have no means of forming an opinion upon the nature of the constitution desired by the Persian people generally beyond the views expressed by the Persian Constitutional party in Europe and other sections of the population of Persia, who seem to prefer the former constitution. The Assembly at Tabriz has refused to accept a constitution based on the religious law.
§ Mr. J. D. REESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether no means exist in the Foreign Office for judging the composition and character of the meetings referred to?
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHMay I ask whether, with a view to ascertaining the facts, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of sending out the hon. Member for Montgomery Boroughs; and is he aware that if he does so this House will view the parting with Christian fortitude?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order. These personal questions are very much to be deprecated. If they are used on one side they can easily be taken up on the other side and turned against hon. Members who use them.