§ 2. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the prospect of an early ratification of the Anglo-Persian agreement has been affected by the collapse of the Russian-Persian Cossacks and withdrawal of their commander from Persia; whether the Shah has issued a summons for the Persian Mejliss to meet; if so, for what date; whether any financial assistance to the Persian Government, as provided in the Anglo-Persian agreement, has been provisionally advanced by the British to the Persian Government; and, if so, how much?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Mejliss has been convened in the ordinary way by the Persian Government, and is expected to meet before long. Only a fraction of the loan of £2,000,000—provided in the Anglo-Persian Agreement—has been advanced to the Persian Government so far.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECan you define "before long?" Is there any chance of the Mejliss meeting within the next two months?