§ Mr. LLOYDasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state the annual expenditure incurred by the Government of India in regard to the ordinary and the special measures for the prevention of gun-running in the Persian Gulf during the last five years?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe ordinary measures for the prevention of gun-running in the 1008 Persian Gulf form part of the duties of H.M. ships in Indian waters for which a subsidy of £100,000 a year is paid from Indian revenues. In addition to these measures extraordinary measures have been necessary in the last two years the cost of which was approximately £44,000 in 1909–10 and £188,000 in 1910–11.
Mr. M'CALLUM SCOTTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government of India have any legal right whatever to interfere by violence with the citizens of a foreign State who are engaged in the peaceful occupation of increasing armaments?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI should like to assure my hon. Friend that the Indian Government never do anything which is not within their legal rights.
§ Mr. LLOYDasked until when have the special preventive measures against gun-running in the Persian Gulf been sanctioned; whether it is intended to renew these special measures in future gun-running seasons; whether, meanwhile. His Majesty's Government propose actively to resume negotiations with France on the subject; and, if not, why is this not to be done?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt would not be in the public interest to answer in detail the questions asked by the hon. Member, but I may say in general terms that it is the firm intention of His Majesty's Government to destroy that part of the arms trade in the Persian Gulf which is illegitimate.