§ Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for War whether communication has been re-established between Baghdad and the British troops at Kasvin and other places in Persia; whether the accommodation for these troops is adequate to maintain them during the winter season; and whether these troops can be relieved or withdrawn from Persia at an early date?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the586W affirmative. As regards the second party the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, has been authorised to make necessary arrangements for winter accommodation. In answer to the last part, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the 19th October to the hon. Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) as regards the force in North-West Persia. I would also refer to my reply on the 2th October to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) in which I stated that the force in North-East Persia was in process of withdrawal and there now remains at Meshed only a small consular escort.