§ 1. Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether His Majesty's Government have in any way committed themselves to the project of a Trans-Persian railroad; and whether he can give an assurance to the House that the Government will not during the Recess take any step committing themselves to such a project?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)The commitment of His Majesty's Government remains that of September, 1912, which is given in No. 341 of the Persian Blue Book No. 1, 1913. The option there contemplated may be applied for at any time, but the conditions as to construction beyond the northern part of Persia, which cannot in the ease of this particular railway take place without the consent of His Majesty's Government, will require very careful consideration before His Majesty's Government take any further commitment. I cannot give assurances to suspend during the Recess decisions on points that do not constitutionally require the consent of Parliament. It is, however, a matter of no importance in this case as the conditions necessary to any further commitment would need inquiry on the spot after the option was obtained, and it is impossible that the consideration of them should be completed before Parliament reassembles.
§ Mr. DILLONDo I understand that as a matter of fact no further commitment will be entered into before Parliament meets and has an opportunity of considering the policy?
§ Sir E. GREYIf the hon. Member asks me for an assurance on a point of Executive action like that, I cannot give an assurance in that form, but the facts of the case are these: We are committed to apply for an option under the condition that the construction of any part of that railway beyond the Northern part of Persia shall not be proceeded with except with our consent: The conditions which we shall have to consider before our consent is given, owing to the necessity for inquiry on the spot, are such that it will be impossible for us to come to a decision on the point before Parliament meets again.
§ Mr. DILLONI would ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind, this being a question involving high considerations of policy, that the House of Commons ought to have an opportunity of expressing its opinion?
§ Sir E. GREYIf assurances are given on one point of Executive action, it leads to assurances being asked for on other points, but in this case, as a matter of fact, we shall not be able to take action before Parliament meets again.