§ 19. Mr. RAPERasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether 1637 the French Government at present exercises any administrative authority in Syria outside the towns of Beirut and Tripolis and their immediate vicinity; and whether His Majesty's Government have any knowledge of a proposal to send troops to Damascus?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.
§ 20. Mr. RAPERasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government has made any announcement with regard to the future of Syria analogous to that made by the British administration in Mesopotamia on or about 22nd June, 1920?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI believe that a message on these lines was sent by M. Millerand to the Emir Feisal, and that it has appeared in the Syrian Press, but I am not aware whether a public announcement was made by the French Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHave Foreign Office a copy of this declaration?
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the hon. Gentleman have the declaration published as a White Paper? It is of great importance.
§ 21. Mr. RAPERasked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the agreement or armistice concluded between General Gouraud and the Turkish Nationalists in Cilicia on or about the 10th June, 1920, provides for any form of Franco-Turkish co-operation in Syria?