HC Deb 23 March 1927 vol 204 cc391-2
67. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any and, if so, what grant or loan in aid is made by Great Britain to the Government of Transjordania; whether the grant or loan includes one-half the cost of the Frontier Defence Force, of which the other half is paid by Palestine; whether Maan and Akaba are now included in Transjordania and the southern boundary delimited; and whether the Emir Abdulla is held to be ruler of this new territory?

Mr. AMERY

The sum of £92,000 was provided in the Middle Eastern Services Vote for 1926 as a, contribution to the Trans-Jordan Administration. In addition, the sum of £108,000 was provided in the same Vote as a grant-in-aid of the cost of the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force, a similar amount being borne on Palestine Funds. In 1927 the contribution to the Trans-Jordan Administration and the grant-in-aid of the Frontier Force will be reduced. Maan and Akaba, which, although within the territory under British mandate, had for a time been administered by the Hejaz Government, were in 1925 brought under the administration of the Trans-Jordan Government, of which his Highness the Emir Abdullah is the Head. The Southern boundary of Trans-Jordan has not yet been delimited.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are these grants-in-aid treated as grants or loans?

Mr. AMERY

They have hitherto been treated as grants.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is that going to continue?

Mr. AMERY

That will be considered.