§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcher(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make to the House concerning the assassination of His Majesty's Consul at Mosul, and if this was in any way connected with the death of His Majesty King Ghazi and the general political situation in Iraq?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)His Majesty's Government have heard with profound regret of the tragic death of Mr. Monck-Mason. I understand that shortly before noon yesterday a crowd gathered in Mosul to mourn the late King Ghazi, whose death at an early age has aroused feelings of deep sympathy, which I know the House would wish me to express. The crowd was worked into a passion by agitators who declared that the British Government were in some way responsible for the King's death. Such allegations are, of course, without the slightest foundation. Our reports state that the British Consulate was stormed and the Consul murdered before the local authorities had time to act. Troops and police were called out at once, and four men, who are believed to be responsible for the murder, were arrested. Martial law was declared and order restored. In the afternoon the Iraqi Prime Minister called at the British Embassy at Bagdad and expressed to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires the deep sorrow of the Iraqi Government at the tragic events in Mosul, 2792 which he said had been a terrible shock to himself and his colleagues.
His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires impressed on the Prime Minister the very serious view taken by His Majesty's Government; and the Prime Minister, after stating that he had taken special precautions for the safety of British subjects and their property, gave the following undertakings:
- (1)A public expression of regret will be made by means of a resolution to be submitted to the Iraqi Parliament to-morrow;
- (2)The late Mr. Monck-Mason will be accorded a public funeral at Mosul with full honours;
- (3)The strictest investigation is being made to fix responsibility;
- (4)The Prime Minister is discussing with his colleagues the payment of a suitable grant to Mr. Monck-Mason's dependants;
- (5)Full reparation will be made for the damage to the property of His Majesty's Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers that this outrage indicates the existence of any widespread system of anti-British propaganda in Iraq?
The Prime MinistersI certainly should not like to say that, but I think in these parts agitators have no difficult task in working up excitement.