§ 45. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the terms of the recent agreement between the French Government and the Turkish Nationalist Government of Angora have been communicated to His Majesty's Government; whether they will be laid upon the Table of the House; and what steps have been taken to safeguard opportunities for British enterprise and commerce in the. territories handed over to Turkish control.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the official publication of the agreement is dependent on the permission of the French Government, who are being consulted. The only territory handed over to Turkish control which would not have come under such control under the Treaty of Sevres is a strip of 207 territory along the north Syrian frontier in which no British commercial interests appear to be involved.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas the hon. Gentleman seen the repeated statements that very valuable exclusive concessions have been promised to French capitalists, and is the situation being watched from the point of view of English capitalists?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHMy hon. and gallant Friend asked me a question about a particular strip of territory, and I have confined my answer to that.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes not my question refer to the recent agreement, and is the Government satisfied that British commercial rights are not infringd in the other parts of Turkey under the agreement?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI hate said nothing as to that.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILCan the hon. Gentleman say whether he expects the answer of the French Government as to the publication of this Treaty before the rising of the House?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHObviously I cannot say, but I hope so.
§ Sir C. OMANIs not a part of the Bagdad Railway now a part of the frontier in question, and therefore are not British commercial interests affected?