46. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister if he will arrange for a White Paper to be issued setting forth clearly the position with regard to the British Mandate in Iraq and the action taken or decisions come 428 to by the League of Nations on the subject from time to time; and if he will state whether anything in the nature of a pledge was given in May, 1923, on behalf of the British Government, that the Mandate of this country in Iraq should terminate in 1928?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe relations between this country and Iraq are defined in the Anglo-Iraq Treaty of 10th October, 1922, the Protocol of 30th April, 1923, and the Agreements subsidiary thereto. The action taken by the League of Nations is comprised in the Council's Decision dated 27th September, 1924. These documents have already been presented to Parliament this year as Command Papers 2370 and 2317. I, therefore, do not think it necessary to issue a further White Paper on the subject. As regards the second part of the question, the House was informed in May, 1953, that the Iraq Treaty in its present form would terminate upon the entry of Iraq into the League of Nations and, in any case, not later than four years from the ratification of peace with Turkey (that is to say, in 1928), but that negotiations for a new treaty to regulate the relations between the two countries would be opened before that date.
Sir F. HALLWould my right hon. Friend say whether there is any truth in the suggestion that we are going to be bound to the protection of Iraq for another 25 years after the present Treaty comes to an end?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I should say that that shares the fate of most suggestions—there is very little truth in it. I would ask the hon. Member to of good enough to wait until we know what takes place at Geneva.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNIs the Prime Minister aware that the Colonial Secretary has said that we are prepared to take on the Mandate for 25 years? What is his view about that?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that if my hon. and gallant Friend reads very carefully what the Colonial Secretary said, it would be difficult to extract that meaning literally.
§ Mr. LOOKERDid this country not give a pledge to uphold and maintain the state of Iraq?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat must depend again on what is done at Geneva.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake that we shall not be committed to remain in Iraq for another 25 years without the House of Commons being consulted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is rather in the region of romance.