§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before and since the killing of Captain Eckford, officers and men of the British troops now stationed at Shiraz have been repeatedly shot at, without reprisals; whether there is any prospect of any effective action being taken by the Persian Parliament; and, if not, what steps the Government proposes to take to restore the reputation of British arms and the opportunity for British trade in Southern Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYIn reply to the first part of the question, it is a fact that on various occasions shots have been fired at officers and men of His Majesty's forces when in 681 the neighbourhood of Shiraz, but I have had no reports as to similar occurrences since Captain Eckford's death. As regards parts two and three, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to the question asked by the hon. Member for East Mayo on the 6th instant.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs there any foundation for the suggestion in the question that the Persian Parliament is going to be called into being?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot say anything more about that than I said before. There is no present prospect.
§ 7. Colonel YATEasked whether the concession has now been granted to Russia by the Persian Government to construct a railway from Julfa, to Tabriz, with an extension to Lake Urumiah and a preferential right to build a railway from Tabriz to Kazvin; and, if so, when the concession will be granted to Great Britain for the construction of a railway from Mohammerah to Khorramabad, with a preferential right to similar further extension?
§ Sir E. GREYA concession has been granted to a Russian syndicate for a concession for a railway from Julfa to Tabriz, with a conditional preference for an extension from Tabriz to Kazvin. A two years' option for the construction of a line from Mohammerah, or a point adjacent thereto, to Khorramabad has been granted to a British syndicate, but the details are not yet finally settled and will partly depend on the results of the survey; the option does not carry with it the right for an extension which has not been asked for.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman see to it that a preferential right to further extension is granted to the British Concessionaires similar to that which has been granted to Russia, namely, from Tabriz to Kazvin?
§ Sir E. GREYThere is no exact parallel for the extension from Tabriz to Kazvin. The line from Mohammerah to Khorramabad is of considerable length. I am not sure how it compares with the existing Russian concession.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman compare the length of the British with the length of the Russian concession, and whatever number of miles may be in 682 excess on the Russian side, will he obtain a concession for a similar amount for the British side?
§ Sir E. GREYYes, I will compare the actual mileage, but I would guard myself against being presumed to say that the actual measure in mileage is necessarily the best standard of comparison in equality of merit as regards this particular concession.
§ Mr. MORRELLIn return for all these concessions, has any progress been made with the long-delayed loan?
§ Sir E. GREYIf the hon. Gentleman will put down a question for Thursday, I might be able to say something more definite
§ 8. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Foreign Minister of Persia has signed an agreement whereby a Russian company acquires the right to build a railway from Julfa to Tabriz, with the option of making another from Tabriz to Kazvin; and when an agreement will be signed for the British railway from Mohammerah to Khoramabad?
§ Sir E. GREYI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which has just been returned to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton.
§ 13. Mr. ALDENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the concession for the Julfa-Tabriz railway has now been granted by the Persian Government; if so, what is the period of the concession; and in what way are Persian interests safeguarded?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the answer to the last two parts is that I am not in possession of a copy of the concession.