§ Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for War at what points in Persian territory Indian military escorts are maintained; whether these military units are employed exclusively as escorts for His Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives in Persia; whether the cost of their maintenance is borne by the Government of India or by His Majesty's Government; and whether it is proposed to withdraw these military units at an early date from Persia?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have been asked to reply. Indian military escorts, totalling about 70 men in all and employed exclusively as escorts for His Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives, are maintained at Teheran, Shiraz, Bushire, Kerman, Ahwaz, Bunder Abbas, Sistan and Duzdap. Their cost is equally divided between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government. The future of these escorts is under consideration.