2. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the approaching coronation of the Shah, His Majesty's Government will urge the Russian Government to withdraw their expeditionary force from Northern Persia in fulfilment of official pledges already given, in order that the Shah may be enthroned as ruler of a country the sovereignty and integrity of which is not seriously impaired?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State who is unavoidably detained at the Guildhall, has asked me to apologise to the House for his absence. The Russian Government have previously given assurances regarding the Russian troops in Persia of which the recent withdrawals of over 2,600 men from Kasvin and of some 500 men from Tabriz are a practical illustration, but it can hardly be urged that all the Russian troops should be completely and suddenly withdrawn until it is evident that this would not be followed by any outbreaks of disorder in the North of Persia such as have recently occurred in the South.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONMay I ask my hon. Friend if he can say where the money is to come from to pay for the ceremony? Is he aware that the Govern- 898 ment of Persia is in great financial difficulties just now?
§ Mr. ACLANDI am sorry to say I am aware of that, and I wish I could make any suggestion. Money is rather hard to get just now.
3. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any information with regard to the emigration on a large scale of Russian peasants and fanners from Turkestan and from European Russia into Northern Persia; whether Russian Commissioners have been appointed to regulate and organise the settlement of these Russian emigrants; and what amount of land has been acquired for this purpose by Russians in the valleys of the Gurgen and the Atrek?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe answer to the first part is in the affirmative. As to part two, I understand that a superintending emigration officer and other officials have been deputed to inspect the territory to which the emigrants have proceeded. On the third part of the question I have no information.
Mr. PONSONBYMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if the Foreign Office has a copy of the Report drawn up by the Russian Commissioner on the Persian frontier on this subject?
§ Mr. ACLANDI will make inquiry and inform my hon. Friend.