18. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries are included in the term, the "Near East," as used in official terminology.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe term "Near East," which was connected with the Ottoman Empire, is outmoded in this country and "Middle East" has now superseded it for official purposes. The countries included in the term "Middle East" are Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Persia, Syria, the Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Trucial Sheikhdoms, Kuweit, Bahrein, Qatar, Muscat, the Aden Protectorate and the Yemen.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettCan the hon. Gentleman say that there is nothing eastern that is, any nearer than the Middle East now?
§ Major Legge-BourkeMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will say where Greece comes in now, because Greece always used to be in the Near East.
§ Mr. FollickIt is in the Levant.
§ Mr. DaviesGreece is considered to be in the Mediterranean orbit.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCould my hon. Friend say whether the Near East has gone west?
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the. Levant still has any official existence?
§ Mr. DaviesNo, Sir.
Mr. WakefieldCan the Minister say why he does not include in his definition the Sheikhdoms of Khor al Fakhan and Kalba and others in that vicinity?
§ Mr. DaviesPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.