HC Deb 09 May 1923 vol 163 cc2348-9
48. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Prime Minister when Parliament will be invited to ratify the Treaty between His Majesty and the King of Iraq?

Mr. BALDWIN

The question of the ratification of the Treaty with King Feisal and the new Protocol modifying its conditions cannot be considered until they have been submitted to a Constituent Assembly in Iraq. Such Constituent Assembly cannot be summoned until peace with Turkey has been concluded and the boundaries of the Arab State finally determined. Under our Constitution, ratification is a matter for the Crown and not for Parliament, but my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has given an undertaking that the King will not be advised to ratify this Treaty and Protocol until an opportunity has been afforded for the matter to be debated in Parliament.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

As the Peace Treaties were brought before Parliament, why in this case are we to be in an inferior position to an uncreated Legislative Assembly in Iraq?

Mr. BALDWIN

There must be some dissimilarity between the two.

Captain BENN

Why is it that a Constituent Assembly has been promised for the last two years in Iraq and now it is announced that it cannot meet until after the Peace Treaty with Turkey?

Captain BERKELEY

Why should the Constituent Assembly of Iraq have a prior right to consider this Treaty before the House of Commons?