§ 11. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the concession in the Mosul area to the Turkish Petroleum Company is now valid?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)Yes, Sir; His Majesty's Government regard as undoubtedly valid the convention made on 14th March, 1925, whereby the Government of Iraq granted to the Turkish Petroleum Company, for a period of 75 years, the exclusive right to extract and dispose of petroleum and similar products in the whole of Iraq with the exception of the "transferred territories " and the vilayet of Basra. They welcomed the inclusion of French interests in the Turkish Petroleum Company, and have watched with sympathy negotiations for the inclusion also of American interests. If these negotiations result in American interests acquiring an interest in the Turkish Petroleum Company, such a result will be welcomed by His Majesty's Government.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHave the Turkish Government also agreed to this concession?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid I must ask for notice of any question arising out of this. I confine myself to answering exactly the question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton).