HC Deb 10 February 1944 vol 396 cc1905-6
56. Viscount Hinchingbrooke

asked the Secretary of State for War when a Report will be made to Parliament on the present administration of territories in Africa and the Middle East which are no longer theatres of war but for which the British Government has continuing responsibilities.

Mr. A. Henderson

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 27th July, the Ministry of Information are publishing a book about the administration of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. It is expected that it will be published in the early summer.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Is the Minister aware that the House is almost entirely without knowledge as to the character of the administration in these countries, for example, Iraq, as well as Italian Somaliland, and will he do his best to hasten forward this publication in order that we shall have that information?

Mr. Henderson

It is the object of this book to supply the information, but, unfortunately, there has been some delay. My right hon. Friend indicated that the book was expected a few months ago—in October—but there have been delays which have prevented the book being published before to-day.

Mr. A. Bevan

Is a propaganda book published by the Ministry of Information an adequate instrument for informing this House about these territories? Is it not an absurd situation, and ought we not to have a report from the Government?

Mr. Henderson

I think we had better wait until we see whether the book is a propaganda instrument.

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Is the Minister aware that the Middle East is not confined to Italian Somaliland, but, in fact, extends from Tripoli to Aleppo?