§ 58. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he 2412 is aware that Iraq has broken her treaty obligations of training and equipping her army on British lines by placing her orders for military stores with Japanese mills; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to ensure a fair market for British goods in Iraq?
§ Mr. EDENMy hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the relevant section of the Military Annexure to the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of the 30th June, 1930, whereby Iraq undertakes that the armament and essential equipment of her forces shall not differ in type from those of His Majesty's Forces. I am not aware of the exact nature of the military stores which Iraq has ordered from Japanese mills, but I have no reason to believe that the order infringes the provisions of the treaty to which I have referred. As regards the second part of the question, United Kingdom goods have the right to most-favoured-nation treatment in Iraq and I have never heard any suggestion that the Iraqi Government are not fulfilling their obligations in this respect.
§ Mr. HANNONSurely in view of the intimate relations between this country and Iraq one would expect that a preference would be given to British articles for the Iraq army; and what steps is the hon. Gentleman taking to see that that is being carried out?
§ Mr. EDENMy hon. Friend will appreciate that I am concerned with the Treaty provisions, and I am convinced that the Treaty provisions have not been infringed.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYHave any representations been made to the Government of Iraq in respect of the order which they have given to Japan for army clothing in view of the fact that it would appear to be contrary to these particular treaty provisions?