§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what security the British taxpayer has for the repayment of loans already made, or about to be made, to the Persian Government?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)The main security for loans already made is the Customs receipts of Southern Persia; that for prospective loans would be matter for arrangement.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether if the British taxpayer has no specific security for his loans, and no security for trade, he is not being bled all round?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.
§ 2. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the British Government is now pressing the Russian Government to reduce the Russian garrisons in Northern Persia; and, if so, what reason it has to believe that the Persian Government is, or will shortly be, in a position to prevent Northern Persia, in the absence of Russian troops, from relapsing into the anarchical chaos which prevails in the southern provinces?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the negative.