§ 18. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the terms of a Treaty to regulate the relations between the British and Arab Governments have now been agreed between the Government of Iraq and the British High Commissioner in Baghdad: whether the terms of this Treaty will now be laid as a Parliamentary Paper and will be communicated officially to the League of Nations; whether there is a general demand throughout Iraq that this Treaty shall be submitted forthwith to the General Assembly of Iraq for ratification; whether any further representations have been received from King Feisal regarding the pressure being put on him to secure the assent of the British Government to some modification of the international political status of Iraq involved by the terms of the draft Mandate for Iraq: and whether it is proposed to ask the Council of the League of Nations at its next session to consider the difficulties which have arisen in Iraq with regard to the use of the word mandate?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe terms of the proposed Treaty with the Iraq Government have not yet been finally agreed, but the negotiations are on the verge of completion, and I hope to be able to make a full statement on the, subject in a very short time. The text of the Treaty will be laid before Parliament as soon as it has been signed, and it will be communicated in due course to the Council of the League of Nations. Provision is made in the Treaty for its reference to the Constituent Assembly of Iraq prior to its ratification. With reference to the fourth part of the question, there has been a free interchange of views with King Feisal in the course of the negotiations, the result of which will be embodied in the Treaty. It would be undesirable and contrary to practice to give details of these discussions. The reply to the last part is in the negative.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs the reply to the last part of the question is in the negative, will the matter be communicated to the principal Allied Powers, or is no international sanction necessary for the purpose of the Treaty 2 Have we power under the San Remo agreement to proceed without consulting our Allies?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am advised that the course we have adopted is entirely within the limits of our powers. Of course, the Treaty will be brought before the League of Nations, and no doubt will be a subject of discussion there, but I do not anticipate that the view will be unfavourable. It will enable us to proceed to give effect at an earlier date to all the most beneficial provisions of the Mandate.
§ Mr. MOSLEYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that this Arab demand for the abrogation of our mandate provides an opportunity for complete withdrawal?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think the Arab dislike of the word mandate arises out of pure ignorance of what is implied in a mandate. They imagine it is some method of controlling or enthralling them, whereas the whole object of the mandate is to keep the mandatory Powers in order and make them conform to their obligations.
§ Mr. MOSLEYDoes not the Arab Government demand complete transfer of 1032 all authority in Government, while our country is to retain responsibility for providing men for the maintenance of the Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am advised that if we were to threaten to withdraw from the country it would produce chaos and panic, and certainly very formidable disorders would result.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAs the Treaty of Sevres has not yet been ratified has the League of Nations actually sanctioned the mandate?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe actual mandates have not yet been passed by the League of Nations, but meanwhile we have been confronted with the need of carrying on from day to day and year to year, and we are carrying on with a considerable measure of success.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to lay the terms of the Treaty on the Table?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI had hoped to be able by now, but I should think in a week or 10 days. There is hardly anything outstanding now except minor points, in which we are endeavouring to meet their views as much as possible, subject to our obligations to the League of Nations.