§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the statement of the Persian Foreign Minister in Teheran, that the British expedition to the Persian Gulf had not been undertaken by arrangement with the Persian Government; that it would only act by sea; whether, as stated to the House, the expedition was undertaken in pursuance of an agreement with the Persian Government; if so, whether he would lay upon the Table the terms of that agreement; and whether it was intended that the expedition should land at two points on the coast of Persia, and undertake military operations in the interior of Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYI have seen in the papers the statement to which the hon. Member refers. The expedition was undertaken in pursuance of the authority given by the Persian Government some years ago to His Majesty's ships to police Persian waters in order to suppress the illicit traffic in arms. I do not propose to lay papers on the subject, nor can I undertake 186 to make public the plan of operations; but I may state that it is only intended to land men when it is necessary in connection with those operations. The Persian Government were informed of the expedition.
§ Mr. DILLONMay I ask whether the agreement with the Persian Government alluded to included provisions for the landing of troops and an expedition to the interior?
§ Sir E. GREYI think the question of actually landing troops was not included in the original arrangements which were made, but it is quite impossible for His Majesty's Government to remain absolutely passive in regard to the large illicit traffic which takes place.