HC Deb 09 February 1911 vol 21 c420
Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had any information to give the House respecting the new developments in the matter of the Bagdad Railway; what is now the attitude of Great Britain, Russia, and France, respectively, towards the undertaking; whether any negotiations are proceeding between the Foreign Office and Turkey or between the Foreign Office and Germany on the subject; and, if not, whether, in view of the probability of Koweit being selected as the terminus of the line, it would be a convenient time to reconsider the advisability of this Country taking a financial interest in the railway, or to come to some definite settlement with the parties interested as to the control of the section joining Basra and Koweit?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I do not think it would be in the public interest to make any statement in regard to the first three questions of the hon. Member. With regard to the final question, I would point out that His Majesty's Government have never been opposed to British participation in the enterprise, provided it can be arranged upon acceptable terms.