HC Deb 16 June 1924 vol 174 cc1712-3
16. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the position of the negotiations with the Government of the Turkish Republic on the question of the boundaries of Iraq?

30. Captain Viscount CURZON

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement with reference to the breakdown of the Mosul Conference?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald)

As the Turkish delegate at the Conference which has been sitting at Constantinople to settle the frontier between Irak and Turkey informed the British representative at the last meeting that he was unable to consider, even in principle, the proposals put forward by His Majesty's Government, it became apparent that no useful purpose would be served by prolonging a conference without any common ground for discussion. Sir P. Cox was, therefore, instructed to inform the Turkish delegate that he had received orders to return to London, since no other course remained open to His Majesty's Government than to submit the matter to the League of Nations in accordance with Article 3 (2) of the Treaty of Lausanne. Sir P. Cox left Constantinople on the 9th instant, and, as soon as the nine months' period provided for direct negotiation by Article VII of the Evacuation Protocol has elapsed, His Majesty's Government for their part will address the League of Nations on the subject and invite that body to give a decision regarding the frontier between Turkey and Irak. In the meantime they propose to communicate with the Turkish Government on the subject.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask why we are delaying till the full nine months are over before applying to the League? Would it not be satisfactory from every point of view to get this matter settled at the earliest moment, and why should we not apply to the League straight away?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am advised that we have to wait nine months according to the terms of the agreement, but in the meantime I am in communication with the Turkish Government, in order to smooth over any difficulties.

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