§ 41. Captain EDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, since under the terms of the new treaty concluded with Iraq that country retains the right to use British forces for the maintenance of internal order, what steps the Government intend to take to discharge their obligations in respect of minorities in Iraq undertaken as a consequence of the acceptance of the mandate of the League of Nations?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to Article 5 of the treaty he will find that the assumption that Iraq will have the right to call upon British forces to maintain internal order is without foundation. The second part of the question therefore does not arise. It is not contemplated that the British forces retained in Iraq shall be at the disposal of any but British authority who will be fully able to judge whether their use is justified in any particular emergency.
§ Captain EDENCan the hon. Gentleman tell me where in the treaty there is any provision safeguarding the use of British troops?
§ Dr. SHIELSI have referred the hon. and gallant Member to Article 5, and I have pointed out that the suggestion in his question, that the Iraq Government have the right to call upon British troops, is not accurate. I think he will find, if he looks at Article 5, that it confirms my reply.