§ THE EARL OF BEACONSFIELDMy Lords, a misconception has arisen with respect to an answer which I gave the noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) a 486 few evenings ago in reference to communications which have been going on with Persia. I do not think there was any foundation for that misconception; but it is a subject on which there ought to be no error. I therefore wish to say now that what I desired to communicate to your Lordships—and which I believe I did communicate—was this—that during the measures which we have for some time been taking to effect the settlement of Afghanistan we received communications from the Persian Government, that the se communications have been not infrequent, but that they have hitherto led to no conclusion. With regard to the specific statement that we had released the Persian Government from their engagement not to occupy Herat, that is an entire misconception.