§ 18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimate of the casualties suffered by the native population of Mesopotamia in fighting against our troops since the armistice with Turkey?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA total of 8,200 casualties to Arab insurgents during the 1680 recent rebellion between 1st July and the present date has been reported by the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia. The proportion of killed to wounded is estimated at one to three. No reports of any other Arab casualties have been received.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSHaving regard to the fact that the right hon. Gentleman said a week ago that these were not rebels, may I ask what difference there is between a rebel and an insurgent?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI never said anything of the sort. My hon. Friend asked, as a supplementary question, whether we intended to give the country back to the rebels, and I said that I had heard nothing of any proposal to give the country back to the rebels. That is all I said.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSBack to the insurgents instead.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe policy of the Government is to set up an Arab State, an Arab Government, not formed out of the rebels, but out of those strong and responsible elements in the Arab community who, we believe, can control and guide their fellow-countrymen.