HC Deb 07 May 1919 vol 115 cc898-9
33. Sir ELLIS HUME-WILLIAMS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have it in contemplation to create a new Department of the Foreign Office to deal exclusively with affairs in Mesopotamia; if so, how soon the new Department will be in operation, and whether it will be represented by a separate Minister in this House?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

In view of the fact that the future status of Mesopotamia has not yet been decided by the Peace Conference, it would be premature to consider the formation of a new Department to deal exclusively with the affairs of that country.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

If a new Department is created to deal with Mesopotamia, will it be taken out of the hands of the Foreign Office?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I hope so.