§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state what results have been achieved by the expedition to the Persian Gulf; how many rifles had been captured; why it had returned to Bombay after such a brief absence; whether he could give an estimate of the cost of the expedition; and whether the cost will be borne by India or by the Imperial Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe object of the recent expedition to the Persian Gulf was to put a stop to the illicit traffic in arms on the Biyaban coast. A number of rifles have been captured, but I am unable to state the precise quantity. Apart from captures, however, the general result of the expedition has been to drive away from the coast of the Gulf the Afghan traders in smuggled arms. The force returned to Bombay after one month's absence because climatic conditions rendered its return necessary. It had achieved the objects of the expedition. The estimated cost is two lakhs of rupees, and, like that of the rest of the operations for the suppression of the arms traffic, is borne by Indian revenues.