§ 34. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister to which Minister questions regarding Egypt, the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Arabia, Aden, and Mesopotamia should now be addressed; and what territories come within the purview of the new Middle-Eastern Department of the Colonial Office?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Cabinet has recently decided that the responsibility for administration and policy in Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Aden is to be transferred from the 1st March from the Departments now dealing with those 1410 countries to the Colonial Office. The Colonial Office will also deal with questions of policy in other Arab areas within the British sphere of influence. Questions relating to these areas should in future be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Questions regarding Egypt, the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, and the Hedjaz should be addressed, as hitherto, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Sir D. MACLEANWill the House have an opportunity of debating this most important change in the administrative offices?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs a matter of fact, there has been a discussion already on the subject. One was before we separated. There was another on the Address, and there will be a third opportunity on the Estimates—I am not sure which Estimates—probably two, but certainly on one.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman explain either now or in the near future in more detail what is meant by Arabia—for instance, what parts will be answered for by the Colonial Office and what by the Foreign Office; his answer did not say?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Hedjaz will come under the Foreign Office, but I think I had better not answer without reference to the Department. There are countries just on the border line.
§ Lord R. CECILAlways have been!
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREOne thing is quite clear—that the India Office will no longer have any footing in Arabia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThen we may take it that the India Office is out of it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSDoes the change imply that these countries are to be considered in future British colonies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo; there are several mandated territories in Africa which the Colonial Office will answer; but we only hold them under Mandate.
§ Colonel Sir C. YATEIs Aden no longer to be administered by the India Office?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, by the Colonial Office.
Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYDoes that mean that the expenses in respect to Aden hitherto borne by the India taxpayer will be borne now by the British taxpayer?