§ 35. Lieut. - Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Prime Minister what procedure is to be adopted, in view of the breakdown of the present negotiations between Turkey and His Majesty's Government, with regard to Mosul; whether this question will be referred to the League of Nations or to an independent tribunal; and whether he can state the exact nature of the questions to be referred?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) yesterday. The reply to the second and third parts of the question will be found in the first and second sub-paragraphs of Article 3 (2) of the Treaty of Lausanne.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the hon. Gentleman say from what time the nine months will date? Will it be from the breakdown of negotiations or from the date when the negotiations are completed?
§ Mr. PONSONBYBy Article 3 of the Treaty, the frontier between Turkey and Iraq will be laid down in friendly agreement to be concluded betwen Turkey and Great Britain within nine months. In the event of no agreement being reached between the two Governments within the 1948 time mentioned, the dispute will be referred to the Council of the League of Nations.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes that mean nine months from the ratification of the Treaty?
§ Mr. PONSONBYYes, from the ratification of the Treaty.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORESurely, the hon. Member is wrong. It is from the date of the signing of the Treaty, not from the date of the ratification.
§ Mr. PONSONBYI was mistaken. It is from the signing of the Treaty.
§ Sir C. YATEWhen does the nine months expire?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI think the hon. and gallant Member can make the calculation himself.