§ 40. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the rejection by the Iraqi Government of the Agreement reached between him and the former Iraqi Prime Minister, and as that Agreement was to be the basis of others of similar kind in the Middle East, whether it is still his intention to proceed with the carrying through of such Agreements with other Middle East States.
§ Mr. BevinContact is being maintained with Middle East States on many matters of common concern. It is not possible to say at present in what way our friendly relations with particular States may be developed.
§ Mr. PiratinIs the Foreign Secretary aware that the Arab peoples are reluctant to join in his imperialist game? Is he prepared to stake his reputation on solving this problem as he did unsuccessfully in the case of Palestine?
§ Mr. BevinI do not know whether I have been unsuccessful in the case of Palestine yet, because it is not over. As for the Arabs being pawns in the imperialist game, there is no imperialism in the world now—except in one place, which I must not mention.
§ Mr. M. Philips PriceCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new Iraqi Government have indicated any desire to reopen negotiations?