§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Chief Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether existing arrangements between Great Britain, Russia, and Persia preclude other foreign Powers from obtaining concessions for railways in the latter country; whether he can give the House any information regarding the progress of the Baghdad 1731 Railway; and whether His Majesty's Government has under consideration the necessity for the construction of the Gulf section by or with the participation of Great Britain?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)As regards the first part of the hon. Member's question, I am not at present in a position to make any statement respecting confidential communications which have recently passed between the British and Russian Governments and the Persian Government on the subject of concessions for the construction of railways in Persia. As regards the Baghdad Railway, preliminary work of construction is being carried out at various points between Boulgourlu and Missis, and financial provision is believed to have been made for continuing the line as far as El Helif. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I cannot make any further statement.