§ Mr. HART-DAVIESasked whether the trade routes from Bushire to Shiraz were still unsafe for commercial traffic; and, if so, whether representations could be made to the Persian Parliament calling attention to this state of things?
§ Sir E. GREYAs long ago as 23rd September, His Majesty's Minister at Tehran, under instructions from His Majesty's Government, addressed a strong remonstrance to the Persian Government on this subject; and about the same time the Persian Minister of the Interior informed Sir George Barclay that he was engaged in preparing a scheme of road guards which, he felt confident, would restore order on the roads. According to the most recent reports from Sir George Barclay, the security of the trade routes in 337 Southern Persia has improved, and the number of robberies and outrages has diminished. In these circumstances, no further representations to the Persian Government appear desirable for the present, but the whole question is engaging the serious consideration of His Majesty's Government. I ought to add that since this answer was drafted I have seen in the newspapers that a serious outrage has occurred on these roads, but I have not as yet received official information about it.