§ 23. Mr. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any proportion of the cost of the occupation of Iraq is borne by the oil companies interested therein or whether the whole cost is borne by the British Treasury?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The whole cost of the Imperial Garrison maintained in Iraq is borne by the British Treasury.
§ Mr. HARRISIs it not possible to raise some revenue by rates or taxes or in some other form, from these oil companies which enjoy the protection of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREObviously, anything payable by these oil companies would be payable to the Iraq Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs that to say that these oil companies pay some royalties direct to the Iraq Government, and that the British taxpayer, who maintains that country, is to have no relief at all?
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhy should not the Iraq Government defend the oil exploiters?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Iraq Government are doing an increasing amount to provide for their own defence.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I have an answer to my question? Are we not to get any benefit for the relief of our taxpayers?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think that very shortly the prosperity of Iraq will develop so much that there will be an increasing local revenue, and, consequently, there will be a less charge on the British taxpayer.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay we discover whether the agreement with these oil companies involves the payment of any royalties to the Iraq Government or not?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI must have notice of that question.
§ Captain EDENIs it not a fact that there is not any oil company operating in Iraq?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI believe that at the present moment no oil company is operating.
§ 19. Major CRAWFURDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what has been the cost to the British Treasury of the occupation of Iraq for the past 12 months?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI presume that the hon. Member's question is intended to refer to the current financial year. As that year has not yet closed I cannot give figures of actual cost. As may be seen from Class V, Vote 4, of the Civil Service Estimates for 1924–25, the total cost was estimated at £4,711,500. I understand that it is probable that the actual cost will prove to be less than the estimate.