[Enclosure]
Questions and Answers in the House of Commons,
June 22, 1920
Anglo-Persian Agreement
Sir Thomas Bramsdon asked the
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, under the
Persian Agreement, the joint commission of military experts has been
set up; and whether any munitions and equipment have been supplied
to Persia by Great Britain?
Mr. Harmsworth: The answer to the first
part of the question is in the affirmative. The Report of the
Commission has been drawn up and is now being considered. The
question of supplying munitions and equipment for the uniform
Persian Force, which it is proposed to organise, is also occupying
the earnest attention of His Majesty’s Government.
Mr. Briant asked the Under-Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs whether, under Article 5 of Part 1, of the
Anglo-Persian Agreement, any schemes have been prepared for the
encouragement of Anglo-Persian enterprise; and whether in such
schemes preferential treatment is given to British subjects?
Mr. Harmsworth: Article 5 of the
Anglo-Persian Agreement is being carried out, as far as
circumstances permit, in close co-operation between the British and
Persian Governments. A railway option has been given by the Persian
Government to a British firm for a proposed continuation of the
present Mesopotamian railhead on the Persian frontier to Tehran via
Kermanshah and Hamadan. The Company’s surveyors are at present at
work in Persia. The answer to the last part of the question is in
the negative.
Captain Wedgwood Benn: In view of that
answer, can the hon. Gentleman say if the principle is not to give
preference to British subjects?
Mr. Harmsworth: No. I understand it still
remains with the Persian Government to decide whether or not they
will accept or grant contracts.
Captain Benn: Do not the Persian Government
act on the advice of their British adviser, if he suggests to them
to accept British in preference to other people’s offers?
Mr. Harmsworth: I do not think so.
Sir J. D. Rees: Is there any harm in
British subjects obtaining a preference?
Major Entwistle asked whether any funds or
any portion of the loan have been supplied under the Anglo-Persian
Agreement; and has any interest been paid?
[Page 346]
Mr. Harmsworth: I would point out to the
hon. and gallant Member that according to the provisions of the
Persian Loan Agreement of 9th August, 1919, the loan to Persia was
to be paid as required after the British Financial Adviser had taken
up his duties at Tehran. The British Financial Adviser has now
reached his post and is examining the financial position. The
greater bulk of the loan is still available, and no interest has
accrued as yet.
Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy: On what Vote is
this money charged?
Mr. Harmsworth: On the Foreign Office
Vote.
Tariff
Captain Benn asked the Under-Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the work
of revising the Persian tariff; and is it proposed under it to give
a preference of any kind to British subjects?
Mr. Harmsworth: The Persian tariff of 1903
was revised by a Joint Commission appointed by the British and
Persian Governments under the Anglo-Persian Agreement of 9th August,
1919, and the revised tariff has been in force since 2nd April,
1920. A complete English translation was published as a supplement
to the Board of Trade Journal of 20th May last, a copy of which I am
sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. The rates of the new tariff
apply equally to imports from all countries enjoying most favoured
nation treatment, and no preferential treatment is given to British
subjects.
