§ Mr. DAVID MASONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the event of British capital becoming interested in the Bagdad Railway, he will take steps to secure that there would be some guarantee or agreement that where Great Britain had a right to protect, these interests would be protected, either by Great Britain or the other Powers concerned?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot say until I have been informed of the precise terms upon which the British participation in the undertaking takes place, or is contemplated. We shall, of course, take what steps are in our power to protect British interests generally.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering that the Khanikin route is the only route of entry, not only for British, but for all Indian goods, into Persia, that are too heavy or too bulky for mule or camel transport, he will take steps to secure that the interests of Great Britain and of India in the proposed branch line from Sadijeh, some twenty or thirty miles north of the town of Bagdad, to Khanikin, on the Persian frontier, are duly protected, especially from the possible effect of rebates or preferential rates or other forms of unfair competition that might be brought in by other countries?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member should give notice of that question.