§ 72. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement regarding the proposed Iraq pipe-line?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)Negotiations are still in progress between the Iraq Petroleum Company and the Government of Iraq, and I am not in a position to say whether any agreement has been reached. The company has negotiated a formal agreement with the Governments of Palestine and Trans-Jordan in regard to the conditions on which it will be allowed to construct a pipe-line through those territories, but the decision as to construction must obviously depend upon the outcome of the negotiations with Iraq.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhat does the Under-Secretary mean by saying that he is not in a position to say whether any agreement has been reached? Is it not 213 a matter of interest to His Majesty's Government that an agreement should be reached on certain definite lines?
§ Dr. SHIELSWhat I meant was that so far as I know an agreement has not been reached, as negotiatons are still in progress.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Member watching the situation closely from the point of view of our Imperial interests?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe Department with which I am associated has always in mind the interests of the Empire.
§ Mr. HARDIEHave the Government any financial commitments in connection with this pipe-line?
§ Dr. SHIELSNo, Sir.