4. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign 198 Affairs whether he is aware that the rights and privileges hitherto enjoyed in Persia by British nationals and by the nationals of certain other countries will be terminated by the Persian Government on 10th May; whether His Majesty's Government have claimed a special jurisdiction for British subjects in Persia different from that of Persians; what reply has the Persian Government returned to this claim; and what is the ground for the claim?
§ 8. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the denunciation by the Persian Government of capitulatory privileges in May, 1927, with effect of one year from the date of that denunciation, all such provileges to British and other foreign subjects will cease on 10th May, 1928?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe capitulatory system in Persia expires on 10th May. Conversations are at present proceeding between the Persian Government and the representatives at Tehran of the foreign Governments concerned regarding the position of foreign nationals in Persia after that date. I cannot make any further statement on the subject until these conversations are concluded.
Mr. MALONEWhat, then, will be the position of foreigners after to-morrow, if no conclusion is arrived at?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot make any further statement on the subject until the conversations are concluded. How can I say what will be the ultimate results of conversation which are not yet concluded?