HC Deb 23 March 1938 vol 333 cc1172-3
3. Mr. Ammon

asked the Prime Minister whether the Assyrian Patriarch and the bishops of the Nestorian Church can be granted permission to visit their countrymen in the Khabur River settlement?

Mr. Butler

Permission to visit the Khabur settlement must be obtained from the mandatory authorities in Syria. I understand that last summer permission was given for a Nestorian Metropolitan to go there, but the visit did not take place, and, so far as I know, the French Government have not since been asked to give permission for such a visit.

Mr. Ammon

Was not the visit of the Metropolitan prevented by the direct intervention of the British Government, and is it not rather scurvy treatment to people who sacrificed all, that they should not be allowed to have their freedom, even in exile?

Mr. Butler

My information does not confirm the statement of the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Ammon

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to look into this matter, because I have very definite information that it was so?

Mr. Butler

Certainly.