HC Deb 28 July 1926 vol 198 cc2075-6
1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the relations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Sultan of Nejd as now established at Mecca; whether he is satisfied with the facilities for and treatment of pilgrims, who are British subjects, to Mecca and other holy places under the Sultan's rule; and whether a British representative is accredited to the Court of Ibn Saud?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)

The relations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of His Majesty the King of the Hejaz and Sultan of Nejd are normal and friendly. I have not yet received a full report of the conditions in which the 1926 pilgrimage has been performed, but from the information in my possession I am satisfied with the arrangements made by the Hejaz authorities for the comfort and welfare of British pilgrims to the holy places of the Hejaz. No British representative is accredited to the Court of Ibn Saud, but relations are maintained through the British Agent and Consul at Jeddah.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask whether, in view of the importance of the pilgrim traffic, the right. hon. Gentleman will consider accrediting a representative to the Court of this potentate, who will then be able to have a representative here?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I think I should have notice of that question.