§ 4. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Under-Secretary of State for India for what purpose the Foreign Secretary of the Government of India has recently again visited Persia; whether, during his stay in Persia, he entered into negotiations with the Persian Government or with His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia; what was the object of these negotiations; and what is the reason for their being conducted by Sir Denys Bray rather than by His Majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Persia?
§ Earl WINTERTONSir Denys Bray merely landed in Persia for a few hours on his way from India to England. He entered into no negotiations.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Sir Denys Bray has developed this habit of always landing for a few hours in Persia and that it makes the public mind rather uneasy?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt is only right, in view of the charge which the hon. Member has made, to explain that most of the time was spent at Jash when he was flying with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air. Unfortunately they had a forced landing there.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAI want to assist the Under-Secertary in this matter. Can we now take it, from his answer that neither the previous visit of Sir Denys Bray nor this visit were anything more than a temporary landing for a few hours?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes, I have already explained in my answer that Sir Denys Bray entered into no negotiations of any sort.