§ 33. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount is now paid by this country under Article 11 of the treaty between Great Britain and the Amir of Transjordan; and when it is expected that the excess cost of the British forces will be borne by the revenues of Transjordan?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)The amount for the current financial year is £49,000, made up as follows:
This is exclusive of the excess cost of the additional British forces now stationed in Palestine and Transjordan as a result of the recent disturbances. I am unable to say when the revenues of Transjordan will be able to meet these charges.
- £34,000 Transjordan Frontier Force grant-in-aid;
- £15,000 capital cost of Works in Transjordan.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNECan the hon. Member say whether the amounts are lower than the previous cost?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am sorry that I cannot say.
§ 34. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what forces are now maintained in Transjordan by Great Britain; and what local forces now exist in that country?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe British military forces in Transjordan at present consist of
There is also the local Transjordan Frontier Force, of which Great Britain bears one-sixth of the cost. I should explain, however, that the forces in Transjordan and Palestine form one Command and are liable to be moved, as necessity arises, from the one country to the other. There is a local police force in Transjordan, the cost of which is borne by Transjordan revenues.
- One Squadron of the Royal Air Force; and
- One Section of Armoured Cars.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARDCan the hon. Member state the proportion of the troops?
§ Dr. SHIELSOf the total troops in Transjordan and Palestine there are two squadrons of aircraft, four sections of armoured cars, two battalions of British infantry, and the rest are transjordan frontier forces.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELCan the hon. Gentleman say how far the Air Force and other forces stationed in Transjordan are required in consequence of the local situation and how far for the British air route between Irak and India?
§ Dr. SHIELSI understand that the disposition of the forces in Transjordan and Palestine is primarily for the defence of Palestine and the necessities for which the force is there.
§ Sir H. SAMUELIn Transjordan?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes.