32. W.J. HOPE SIMPSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any date has yet been fixed for the summoning of the constituent assembly of Iraq?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th March to the hon. Member for Chippenham, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo. I replied on the 6th March that as the question of the northern frontier of Iraq remains unsettled in the Turkish negotiations it is not possible to fix a date.
§ Captain BENNDo not the Government regard themselves as under some pledge to hold such an election; and does this reply mean that it will be postponed for a year?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWe hope the Turkish negotiations will be resumed and settled very shortly, but until you know whom you are entitled to elect and for what constituencies you are going to elect the Assembly, you cannot hold an election.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that two definite dates have been fixed for the summoning of this Assembly and on both occasions the pledge has been broken?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf it is possible to elect a King, why cannot you call a meeting of the constituent Assembly?