§ 7. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will intervene with the Government of Iraq so as to have removed the discriminatory regulations which they have imposed against British nationals of the Jewish faith travelling to Iraq, or other destinations via Iraq, by requiring them to hold special visas.
§ Mr. NuttingIn 1950 regulations were issued by the Iraqi Government which stipulated that, among other categories of persons, Jews were excepted from the exemption from visa requirements granted to other passengers in transit by air. In November, 1950, H.M. Embassy at Bagdad addressed a Note to the Iraqi Government requesting them to modify these regulations so as to ensure that Jewish British subjects receive the same treatment as other British subjects. No reply to this Note having been received, Her Majesty's Ambassador is being instructed to renew these representations.
§ Mr. JannerWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for the last part of his reply, may I ask him if the position is not unwarranted and intolerable? That any section of British nationals should be discriminated against in this manner is quite out of the question. If the reverse were to apply, would there not be considerable difficulty from the other side? Will he see whether he can also do anything through the United Nations to assist in this matter?
§ Mr. NuttingI prefer to reserve judgment on the suggestion that we should refer the question to the United Nations. We prefer to deal with these matters through the diplomatic channels, and we have renewed our representations.