§ 17. Lieut.-Commander KENW0RTHYasked 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-GOREMy 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 KENWORTHYWill the Report be published?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWe 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 KENWORTHYWill the terms of the agreements be published?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThat depends on the character of the agreements. Until we have received them we can give no definite undertaking.
§ 19. Captain W. SHAWasked 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-GOREThe answer is in the negative.