§ 68. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a new Treaty has been negotiated with the King of Iraq containing provisions for surrendering any use of the Hinaidi aerodrome by British military or civil aircraft: whether he will publish fall details regarding the proposed Treaty; and when the Treaty will be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe new Treaty with Iraq which was signed at Bagdad on the 30th June, provides for the withdrawal of the British Forces from Hinaidi aerodrome within a period of five years from the entry into force of the Treaty, which will take place upon the admission of Iraq to membership of the League of Nations. I should explain that this aerodrome is a military and not a civil aerodrome. The Treaty and connected documents will be printed and laid before Parliament as soon as possible after the definitive text has been received from Bagdad. Copies of the Treaty will also be communicated as soon as possible to members of the Council of the League of Nations.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECan the hon. Member say when it is proposed to ratify 38 the Treaty? Is it proposed to ratify the Treaty before it is discussed in this House?
§ Dr. SHIELSI shall require notice of that question.
69. Lord STANLEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the terms of the proposed Treaty with Iraq appeared in one newspaper 24 hours before the official announcement was made; and whether he intends to recommend that steps should be taken under the Official Secrets Act in this matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. Last Monday night a communiqué was issued in Bagdad reporting the signature of the new Treaty with Iraq and giving a resumé of its principal provisions. The text of the communiqué which it was proposed to issue had been telegraphed to London in advance. Upon the issue of the communiqué in Bagdad a news agency telegraphed home a summary, extracts from which, I understand, appeared in a number of papers on Tuesday morning. There were, however, several important omissions in this summary which was so condensed as to be liable to give a somewhat misleading impression in some particulars. It was therefore considered desirable to issue from the Colonial Office the complete text of the communiqué agreed upon by His Majesty's Government. This was done and the text appeared in certain papers on the following day.
§ 71. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a treaty has been concluded with Iraq; and, if so, what are the terms?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir. A new Treaty with Iraq was signed at Bagdad on the 30th of June. The full text of the Treaty will be published as soon as possible.