§ 8. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Persian Minister of Finance, Prince Firuz Nosrat-ed-Dowleh, has recently issued instructions to the port authorities of Iraq to remove their officials from Abadan, on the ground that foreign warships had no right to be at Abadan without the Persian Government's permission; whether any British warships have visited Abadan without the permission of the Persian Government; and whether the island of Abadan forms part of the territories formerly controlled by the Sheik of Mohammerah?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINSo far as the facts are concerned, the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I have no reason to 1693 believe that the instructions were issued on the grounds suggested by the hon. Member. As regards part two, no British warship has visited Abadan except in accordance with a standing arrangement reached four years ago with the Persian Government. The answer to the third part is in the affirmative, though Abadan has never been other than Persian territory. I may add that the whole matter has recently formed the subject of friendly discussion at Tehran, and I hope that a settlement satisfactory to all parties may shortly be reached.