§ 54. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that complaint is made in the Report of the Bagdad Assembly of the number of British officials employed in Iraq, the salaries of whom are alleged to be a burden on the country; and whether he will state the number of officials and the aggregate amount of their salaries?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Thomas)I know Of no Report by the Bagdad Assembly containing such a complaint. The hon. Member is perhaps referring to a Report drawn up by a Committee of the Assembly, not by the Assembly itself. Under the terms of the British Officials Agreement, which has 924 been accepted by the Iraq Assembly, and which was published in Command Paper No. 2120, the posts specifically reserved for British officials number 18 only. The aggregate annual salaries of these posts amount approximately to £34,000.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHWho pays the cost of the officials?