§ 53. Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister when the announcement of Mesopotamian policy is to be made; and whether he will arrange that it is communicated to Parliament not later than its publication in Mesopotamia?
§ 1. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for India whether a draft civil constitution has been drawn up in Mesopotamia for the future system of government in that country, the outlines of which have been communicated to leading personages among the inhabitants; whether representations from the latter regarding the proposed draft are being received; whether this proposed constitution will be embodied in the mandate to be placed before the Council of the League of Nations; and whether it will be embodied in an Act of Parliament or otherwise submitted to Parliament before becoming operative?
§ Mr. MONTAGUHon. Members will have seen the announcement of policy that has appeared in this morning's newspapers. They will no doubt have an opportunity of seeking further information during this afternoon's Debate.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYAre we to understand that a report in the news- 2158 papers is to be taken as a substitute for an answer to a question in this House?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe policy was announced, not here, but in Baghdad, and the telegram has appeared in some newspapers reporting what announcement was made in Baghdad. Speaking from memory, I think the purport of the announcement was that, in response to the wishes of the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Sir Percy Cox was to be the British representative under the mandate, and a temporary predominant Arab Government was to be instituted by him.
§ Lord R. CECILDoes not my right hon. Friend think that it would have been only courteous to the House that an announcement of this very grave importance should have been presented to the House at the same time as it was made at Baghdad? Does he think it is considerate and courteous to refer Members of the House to a telegram which appeared in some papers? It did not appear in the paper I happened to look at, but it was no doubt in some paper connected with the Government, which is given the information for which the House has a right to ask. I venture to ask my right hon. Friend whether he will not, even now, send for a copy of this telegram and read it to the House.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI assure the House that I had no intention of being discourteous. The reason that I did not read the announcement in answer to the question is that I understand that, in the Debate this afternoon, the Prime Minister proposes to read the announcement himself. I would have referred my Noble Friend to the Debate, had it not been that I was bound to take notice of what had already been published in the Press.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas the mandate been granted to this country?