§ 4. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the severe financial straits to which the Government of Persia is reduced; has he any information to the effect that the Government of 1745 Persia fears to ask for help from Russia and Great Britain from fear that Russia will exact harsh terms in the way of increasing the Persian Cossack force; and what does he propose to do in the circumstances?
§ Sir E. GREYI am aware of the chronic financial embarrassment of the Persian Government, but the important question appears to be not whether the Persian Government is reluctant to ask for pecuniary assistance, but whether His Majesty's Government, if applied to, could give or facilitate that assistance on a substantial scale. The decision of His Majesty's Government would not in any case be dependent upon an increase of the Cossack Brigade.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIs there, in any case, sufficient money to give the Swedish gendarmerie a chance of coping with the lawlessness in Southern Persia?
§ Sir E. GREYPerhaps the hon. Gentleman would give me notice of that question.