§ 2. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the suspension of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1907, as announced to the Persian Government, implies that this country renounces its claim to any zone of influence in Southern Persia; whether any Persian territory now occupied by British troops will be evacuated during or after the War; and whether, in future financial relations with Persia; no financial adviser or Controller will be imposed upon or removed from Persia but full recognition as a sovereign independent State will be given to Persia?
§ Lord R. CECILAs regards the first part of the question, I must leave the hon. Member to draw his own conclusions from the announcement to which he refers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the question would appear to depend on the conditions which any lending Power may decide in the future to attach to such financial advances.
§ Mr. KINGInasmuch as the Noble Lord means me to draw my own conclusions, does that imply that he has absolute confidence in the conclusions that I draw from his answer?
§ Lord R. CECILCertainly not.
§ Sir J. D. REESWhat advantage results from imputing unfriendly motives to His Majesty's Government towards the Shah; and is there any foundation for it?
§ Lord R. CECILNo; none whatever. His Majesty desires to live on the friendliest possible terms with the Persian Government.