HC Deb 07 December 1925 vol 189 cc12-3
17. Lieut.-Commander KENW0RTHY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be in a position to inform the House of the nature of the recent negotiations with Ibn Saud, Sultan of Nejd; and whether steps have been taken to safeguard the right of Moslems from the British Empire and mandated territories wishing to visit the holy places of Arabia?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

My right hon. Friend is expecting a full report upon the recent negotiations with Ibn Saud, together with the text of the agreements concluded with him, sometime this week. With regard to the second part of the question, I should point out that the recent negotiations were in no way concerned with the Hedjaz or the holy places of Arabia?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the Report be published?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

We have not yet got the Report, but, obviously, the terms of the agreements will have to be published as soon as they are received.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will the terms of the agreements be published?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

That depends on the character of the agreements. Until we have received them we can give no definite undertaking.

19. Captain W. SHAW

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government proposes to give or loan a sum of money to the Emir of Nejd, in Arabia; and, if so, to what extent?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The answer is in the negative.