§ 2. Brigadier-General SURTEESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the present position with regard to the Baghdad railway; how far the result of the War and the dismemberment of the Turkish Empire has affected the rights of the shareholders and owners of that railway; and what steps, if any, have been taken with regard to its future?
Mr. HARMSWORTHProvision has been made in the Peace Treaty with Germany for dealing with German interests in public utility undertakings in enemy countries including Turkey, and the Treaty of Peace with 1056 Turkey will contain Clauses for dealing with the rights of shareholders in Turkish railway companies, but until the final conclusion of peace with Turkey, it will not be possible to make a full statement on the subject; nor for the same reason can anything be said regarding the future of the Baghdad railway system.
§ Mr. MARSHALL STEVENSWhen the Foreign Office are dealing with this matter, will they consider that there is plenty of British private enterprise ready to take the place of the existing shareholders in the Baghdad railway?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.