§ Mr. LLOYDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations regarding the Bagdad Railway are now being pursued by His Majesty's Government; and whether, in view of the fact that the House is about to adjourn, and that any settlement must affect important British commercial interests, he will give what information he can regarding any developments that may have occurred since his last statement to the House on the subject?
§ Sir E. GREYNegotiations have, as is well known, been in progress for some time respecting the terms upon which His Majesty's Government will agree to an increase of the Turkish Customs Duties from 11 per cent. to 14 per cent. ad valorem; and, incidentally, these negotiations bear on the Bagdad Railway question. His Majesty's Government have made proposals to the Turkish Government to secure economic equality on the railway, and a definite settlement as regards the region of the Persian Gulf, but the details must remain confidential till the negotiations are concluded.