§ 7. Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs why, considering that the Russian railway from Julfa to Tabreez, in the North of Persia, has been completed despite the War and disturbed local conditions, no progress has been made with the British concession for the Mohammerah-Khoramabad railway in South Persia which, at any rate, could have been laid as far as Dizful; and, if the British Government are too much engaged to take the matter up, will the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs hand over the political control of Southern Persia to the Government of India, and permit them to take the matter in hand?
§ Lord R. CECILThe military situation in South-Western Persia has rendered impossible for the time being any further development of the scheme for a railway from Mohammerah to Khoramabad, but when the local situation has improved further steps will be taken in consultation with the Government of India.
§ Colonel YATEWere not military considerations in the North of Persia just as bad as in the South?
§ Lord R. CECILApparently not.