§ 25. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered or will consider the possibility of settling the Assyrians of Iraq in some part of British-controlled territories in the African continent?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)Yes, Sir. During recent years my predecessors and I have given the most earnest consideration to this question. Not only the African territories, but the whole of the Colonial Empire has been carefully considered with a view to finding some possible place of settlement. Unfortunately it has not yet been possible to find a suitable area in any of the non-self-governing Colonies, Protectorates or Mandated Territories, in which it would be practicable to settle the Assyrians of Iraq, apart from the serious political and economic difficulties which would inevitably arise. Inquiries, however, are still being pursued.
§ Mr. BellengerCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it would entail 388 any considerable cost on the British Government to settle these Assyrians?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI forget what was the exact amount that was stated at Geneva, but I understand that there is to be a conditional contribution, if the League pays so much and the Iraq Government pay so much.
§ Mr. HendersonWould not the money be well spent if it were possible to settle them?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIf we could find a climatically, socially and economically suitable area, it would be our wish that they should be settled.
§ Captain HeilgersCan my right hon. Friend say why Transjordania, which is a very similar country to the Assyrians' home land, was rejected?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIt is very similar to Iraq, and we do not want exactly the same problem to arise in Arab Transjordania as has arisen in Arab Iraq.