§ 8. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for India whether the recent murder of the British political officer at Mosul and another British officer by a band of Kurds was a sporadic outbreak, or whether it was part of a general rising in Eastern Kurdistan; whether reinforcements have been pushed up into Kurdistan; and whether he can make a general statement as to the situation in Kurdistan?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. An, official announcement regarding this regrettable incident appeared in the Press this morning. The disturbance appears to have been a purely local one, and, while there are no signs at present of its spreading, the local authorities are taking the necessary steps to meet any situation which may arise.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GORECould my right hon. Friend inform me whether in future any question about Mesopotamia should be addressed to the India Office or the War Office? Is the War Office in authority or the India Office?
§ Mr. FORSTERThere may be questions which are appropriate to the War Office and others which are appropriate to the India Office. If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down his questions either to me or to my right hon. Friend he is sure to get an answer.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhen may we have some expression of policy, either from the War Office or the India Office or others concerned, on this -question of Kurdistan and of our commitments there?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the Secretary of State for War replied to a similar question yesterday.