§ 20. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what 580 is the present state of affairs on the frontier between Iraq and Nejd; and whether raids are still being carried out by Transjordanian troops against subjects of Ibn Saud?
§ Mr. AMERYIn reply to the first part of the question there have been some isolated raids by Nejdi tribesmen, but not of a serious character. The recent incident, in which an American missionary was killed, took place not in Iraq but in Koweit territory further South. I should like to take the opportunity of expressing my deep regret at the loss of so valuable a life, and my sympathy with the friends and relatives of the murdered man. As regards the second part of the question, Trans-Jordan troops have not carried out raids upon the subjects of King Ibn Saud. There has, as in previous years, been a certain amount of mutual raiding on this part of the frontier both by Trans-Jordan and Nejdi tribesmen.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEMay I get it quite clear from the right hon. Gentleman that these reported raids from Trans-Jordan have not taken place?
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONAre any steps being taken to redefine this country with a view to settling the difficulties over the wells?
§ Mr. AMERYThe difficulty does not reside in defining the frontier, but in the raiding habits of the desert tribes.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONBut the user of the wells, is not that important?
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain how mutual raiding by arrangement is carried out?
§ Mr. SAKLATVALASo we heard you.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Royal Air Force in Iraq committed to the defence of the Koweit territory? Is that one of the responsibilities of the Air 581 Force, or is it only in connection with this last raid that they have gone down there?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Royal Air Force in Iraq is available to protect British interests anywhere within range.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut is one of their responsibilities the protection of the extensive frontier of Koweit as well as the frontier of Iraq; and, if so, have they got all the arrangements made for it by means of strong points and centres and all the ordinary military arrangements?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut are we undertaking the protection of Koweit exactly on the same footing as the protection of Iraq?
§ Mr. AMERYI do not know about "exactly on the same footing," but certainly we should not allow the territory of Koweit to become the object of incursions by any foreign Power.