§ 5. Captain CAZALETasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have taken any steps to return to the Sheikh of Mohommerah his personal freedom and his territory?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under some misapprehension. The decision does not 382 lie with His Majesty's Government, who, however, have repeatedly urged the Persian Government to put into practice their frequent and categorical assurances that the Sheikh's affairs would be settled on a just and equitable basis. Negotiations between the Sheikh and the Persian Government are reported to be still in progress and His Majesty's Government earnestly trust that a solution of this long outstanding question will be found without further delay.
§ Captain CAZALETIs it not a fact that a definite promise was given to the Sheikh that in return for his services to this country during the War we would guarantee him his possession?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIf my hon. Friend wants information as to past history, he must really give me notice. His Majesty's Government received assurances from the Persian Government as to the way in which the Sheikh would be treated, and we look to the Persian Government to fulfil those assurances without further delay.