§ 25. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister if Mesopotamia is under the India Office, and if a British policy has been decided upon; and whether the consent of the House of Commons is to be obtained to sanction this policy?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)No decision as to the future administration of Mesopotamia will be taken until the Peace Treaty with Turkey has been signed, and the terms of the Mandates settled.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHow long is it likely to be before the Mandate is settled?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not sure when the Peace Treaty will be signed. I hope the Mandate will be settled soon. The hon. Member knows the difficulties which have arisen in connection with it.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs it likely to be quicker than the settlement of the Mandates for East Africa and the Cameroons—a year overdue?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope so.
§ Mr. HERBERTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a state of indecision is one of the things which is contributing to high prices?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are pressing for a settlement as rapidly as we possibly can, but my hon. Friend must realise that there are several Peace Treaties which have to be negotiated separately, one after the other, and the amount of work that has been got through is prodigious, considering what was to be done.