EARL of RONALDSHAYasked if Major Stokes has accepted an office under the Persian Government; and, if so, has his appointment the approval of the British Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand that Major Stokes has been offered an appointment by the Persian Government. It cannot have the approval of His Majesty's Government unless the conditions of the appointment are consistent with the terms and the spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1907.
EARL of RONALDSHAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the circumstances and conditions of Major Stokes's appointment are or are not contrary to the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1907?
§ Sir E. GREYThe appointment, so far as I know it, is vague. It may apply to the whole of Persia, but if it applies to the North of Persia only, there would be a strong case for considering that it was not consistent with the spirit of the Agreement.