§ 10. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the nature of the protest addressed by the Iraqi Government against the British Government's action in Palestine; and whether he will inform the Iraqi Government that Great Britain is responsible to the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations alone?
§ Viscount CranborneHis Majesty's Government have received various communications from the Iraqi Government, as from the other Arab Governments, stating their views, which are well known, in regard to the policy and action of His Majesty's Government in Palestine. His Majesty's Government do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by publishing these communications at the present stage. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Under the Mandate, His Majesty's Government are responsible not to the Iraqi, nor to any other particular foreign Government, but to the League of Nations—not to the Mandates Commission—for their administration of Palestine in general, or the treatment of Palestinian citizens. But His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that the Iraqi Government are not aware of this fact, nor is there anything inconsistent with it in the terms of the communications received from that Government.
§ Mr. ManderDo I understand that the Government are not prepared to have pressure put upon them by outside Governments, except through the League of Nations?
§ Viscount CranborneCertainly we are not prepared to have pressure put upon us.
§ Colonel WedgwoodThen why did they accept this from the Iraqi Government? Why did they not tell them off?