§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he would communicate to the House the terms of the proposed British loan through the Imperial Bank to the Persian Government, and any communications which have passed between the British and Persian Governments in relation to this loan; and whether the British agent in Teheran has exercised any pressure or influence on the Persian Government to accept this loan in preference to a loan from any other quarter?
§ Sir E. GREYAs regards the first two points, the negotiations in respect of the proposed loan are being conducted exclusively between the Persian Government and the Imperial Bank of Persia, without any intervention on the part of His Majesty's Government. As regards the last point, Sir George Barclay Reports that he has never at any time pressed the Persian Government to accept a loan from the Imperial Bank of Persia in preference to others, nor has he used his influence in this sense. He has, however, informed the Persian Government that His Majesty's Government could not support a scheme which would be prejudicial to the interests or the Imperial Bank.