§ Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in addition to the robbery reported in April last, a caravan of carpets, worth 16,000 tomans, was robbed on the trade route between Kerman and Bundar Abbas in May last; whether he was aware that the high rate for transport, the heavy Customs duties, the danger of robbery, and the uncertainty of getting compensation, had practically put a stop to British trade along this route; and whether he would now consider the question of taking practical steps to render this trade route safe for commerce, and to secure compensation for British traders for their losses from the Persian Government?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI have received no report of any robbery on the Bundar Abbas Kerman Road subsequent to that which occurred last April, and the latest information in my possession tends to show that the trade routes in that region are fairly safe. I have no details as yet regarding the amount of British trade which has recently passed along this road. All proper steps are being taken to obtain compensation for British traders who have suffered losses by robbery.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to inquire whether British trade is stopped or not along this route?
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONDoes not a consular report published, issued only this morning, state that trade on this route is reported to be in a very insecure state?
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to get the roads made quite safe?