HC Deb 21 March 1911 vol 23 cc210-2
Mr. DILLON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he would lay upon the Table a statement of the grounds on which Great Britain claims protective rights over the territory of Koweit, with the texts of treaties and documents referred to in the statement?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)

We have had important commercial relations with Koweit for a very considerable period, and in recent years there have been communications with the Sheikh of Koweit, including a formal agreement in. 1899. I am not prepared to lay papers at the present moment, but I may state that the condition for which His Majesty's Government have always stipulated on behalf of the Sheikh of Koweit is that the status quo should be maintained.

Mr. DILLON

Has the right hon. Gentleman communicated to Foreign Governments, and notably to Turkey, the papers and documents on which England relies; if so, does he not consider that they should be communicated to the House of Commons?

Sir E. GREY

I understand after the-discussion that took place the other day it is natural that the House of Commons should desire those papers. In answer to the supplementary question, I should say that the relations of His Majesty's Government and their position with regard to the Sheikh of Koweit, have now, and on previous occasions, formed the subject of communication with the Government of Turkey, but the fact that negotiations are still in progress, is a reason why it is very difficult to promise when papers can actually be laid.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what is the position of Koweit in regard to Turkey?

Sir E. GREY

I can only state the position of His Majesty's Government, which is that the status quo should be maintained.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit the implication in this question that Great Britain claims protective rights over the territory of Koweit?

Sir E. GREY

I leave to my hon. Friend who put the question the responsibility for the use of the words "protective rights."

EARL of RONALDSHAY

asked if the the financial obligations incurred by the Turkish Government under the Baghdad Railway Convention of 1903 have been punctually fulfilled; and, if not, could he say to what extent the period of eight years allowed for the construction of the line under the Convention is prolonged in the case of those sections of the line which were not provided for in the Supplementary Convention of 1908?

Sir E. GREY

The reply to the first question is in the negative. That to the second is that, according to Article 4 of the Convention of March, 1903, the period of eight years allowed for the construction is extended by the delay which has already arisen, and which may continue to arise, in the fulfilment of the financial obligations incurred under Article 35 of the Convention in respect of each section of the railway by the Ottoman Government. The extent to which the period is prolonged depends upon a condition which is indefinite.

EARL of RONALDSHAY

asked the Secretary of State if he is aware of any proposal having been made by the German Government to Russia which, if accepted, would secure to Germany a share in the construction and management of the projected railway from Khanikin, on the Persian frontier, to Teheran, via Kermanshah and Hamadan; and, if so, can he say whether such proposal has received the assent of the Russian Government?

Sir E. GREY

I can make no statement on the subject of negotiations between other Powers.