HC Deb 26 February 1914 vol 58 cc1920-1
4. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the Regent of Persia has asked the Russian Minister at Teheran to consent to the removal of Shuja-ed-Dowlah from the Governor-generalship of Azerbaijan; if so, what reply has been made to the Regent by the Russian Minister; whether the province of Azerbaijan has accepted the invitation of the Government of Persia to elect representatives to the new Medjliss; whether a wild Luristan tribe attempted to capture Captain Wilson and Mr. Douglas on their way down from Khoremabad to Dizful in order to hold them to ransom; if the same tribe is now encamped in the country which necessarily must be traversed by the Mohammera-Khoremabad Railway survey party if they attempt to carry out their work; and, in these circumstances, will the Persian Government accept the single reconnaissance survey made by Captain Wilson and Mr. Douglas on their journey, and thereby enable the Mohammera-Khoremabad Railway survey party to return to Europe?

Sir E. GREY

On points one and two I have no official information. In reply to point three, the Persian Government decided to await the result of the elections in Teheran before taking steps to hold elections in the provinces. I have no later information regarding Azerbaijan. As regards points four and five, I have no information that any actual attempt was made to capture the gentlemen in question, though there were rumours of such intention. On point six it is impossible to foretell until the results of the reconnaissance survey have been examined whether there will be sufficient data to arrive at any definite conclusion. I understand that the Persian Government desire to use the information as a basis of negotiation if it can be regarded as adequate.

Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSON

May I ask, concerning the second question, if it is the fact that the heads of religion at Tabriz are strongly averse to electing representatives to the Medjliss? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of that?

Sir E. GREY

I cannot say without referring to the papers.