§ Mr. SANDERSONasked when the right hon. Gentleman would lay upon the Table the promised Papers respecting the Baghdad Railway; whether, in view of the public interest which attaches to the question, he would take steps to expedite their preparation; and whether, in the event of there being any further delay, he would lay upon the Table at once the Papers relating to the financial provisions of the concession of 1903, and especially those relating to Article 35.
§ Sir E. GREYI hope to lay all the promised Papers soon after Easter; they are being got ready as quickly as possible.
§ Mr. SANDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in consequence of arrangements recently concluded at Constantinople with reference to the Baghdad Railway, any new scheme has been or will be substituted for the existing kilometric guarantees; and whether, if His Majesty's Government arrange for this country to take any part in the railway east of Baghdad, every effort will be made to insure that the financial arrangements are not open to certain well-known objections widely entertained in regard to the concession of 1903?
§ Sir E. GREYThese questions are the subject of negotiations, and I am, therefore, not in a position to make any statement with regard to them at this moment. The point referred to will, of course, receive consideration.
§ Mr. SANDERSONCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will consider any modification of the financial arrangements of Clause 35?
§ Sir E. GREYI did not know that Clause 35 was referred to in the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that.