§ 2. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any further communication from the High Commissioner in Mesopotamia regarding the progress being made by the new Arab Government which he can communicate to the House; what progress is being made in the drafting of the organic law; and whether conditions in Mesopotamia now permit of the reopening of trade on the railways and by river?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Various communications which I have lately received 1220 from the High Commissioner on matters of detail show that the Council of State has entered upon its administrative duties, but I do not think that I can yet make any definite statement of progress in reply to the first two parts of the question. With regard to the third part, I am not aware that trade has ever been discontinued by river; railway connection between Baghdad and Basra has not yet been re-established.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWill my right hon. Friend say when the transfer of Mesopotamia to this Department, as suggested in his speech of yesterday, is likely to take place?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot say, but I hope soon.