§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR (by Private Notice)asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Colonial Office have yet received the supplementary report drawn up by General Laidoner's Spanish colleague, Colonel Ortega, with regard to the Turkish atrocities in the Mosul area, and if he could give a summary of the contents to the House; also whether the Council of the League of Nations have yet come to a decision as to the future of Mosul, and, if so, can the information now be given to the House?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, Sir. The supplementary report by General Laidoner's colleagues has not yet reached His Majesty's Government. With regard to the second part of the question, I have no information that the decision of the Council of the League of Nations has yet been announced, but I understand that it is likely to be given to-day.
§ Mr. O'CONNORMay I ask, not in any reproach, how it is that the newspapers are able to give in full detail this report and other reports before they are in the possession of the Colonial Office in London? I hope it is not an admission that the service of the Press is more efficient and prompt than the service of a public Department.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is easily explained by the fact that this report is not made to the British Government but to the League of Nations, and is by them issued to the public. It is then telegraphed by the various news agencies to the Press of the world. We get the reports from the League when they are printed at Geneva. The British Government do not go to the expense of having every word of these long reports telegraphed to us.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay we be informed, before the House is prorogued, as to the outcome of these negotiations, and especially whether, before any formal instrument is entered into binding this country, this House will be consulted?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope it will be possible to make a full statement.