HC Deb 07 August 1924 vol 176 c3098
24. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state the reason why Saiyid Talib Pasha, Minister of the Interior in the Iraq Government, was arrested by the British authorities and deported; whether any charge has ever been preferred against him; whether it is intended to give him the opportunity of a trial and, if so, before what tribunal and whether he is now to be permitted to return to Iraq?

Mr. THOMAS

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Melton on the nth June, to which I have nothing to add.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this is a good example which we are setting to the Arabs of safeguarding popular liberties by deporting a man without any trial and keeping him out of his own country?

Mr. THOMAS

The hon. Member cannot put that construction on the answer which I have given. I know very little about the circumstances of this matter.