IRAQ

HC Deb 28 July 1958 vol 592 cc923-5

11. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government now propose to recognise the new Government of Iraq.

13. Mr. W. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the opening of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Iraq.

Commander Noble

Her Majesty's Government have as yet insufficient information about conditions in Iraq to enable them to take a proper decision. Any question of recognition or of opening diplomatic relations is therefore premature. Her Majesty's Government would in any case wish to act in concert with their allies.

Mr. Rankin

Could the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether this question will be discussed at the meeting which is now being held in London? If it is to be discussed, would he represent to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that a great many countries have recognised the new Government, including India in our own Commonwealth, Russia and most of the Arab countries? In view of the necessity of bringing about a peaceful state of affairs as soon as possible in the Middle East, would it not be wise if we considered this matter as something that we ought to do now?

Commander Noble

I am sure the House would not expect me to say what is or is not being discussed at the meeting on the Bagdad Pact, but as my right hon. and learned Friend said in the debate the other day, we are carefully examining the statements of those in authority in Iraq and, what is perhaps more important, their actions.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether he has had, directly or indirectly, a list of British casualties in Iraq; and what is being done about compensation for the burning of the British Embassy?

Commander Noble

I have no further information about casualties. I do not think there have been further casualties other than those mentioned by my right hon. and learned Friend. We shall, of course, put forward claims for compensation for the damage done to Her Majesty's Embassy.

Mr. Younger

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us what at the present moment is the status of the British Ambassador, who appears to be in Bagdad, in relations with the authorities and who, we understand, is transmitting messages home? What is the de facto situation? Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think it important that our relations from a practical viewpoint at least should be established immediately?

Commander Noble

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman asked that supplementary question. Sir Michael Wright, for the purpose of daily business, is in touch with the Iraqi authorities on an ad hoc basis.

Captain Pilkington

On a point of order. May I ask whether it is in order, Mr. Speaker, for hon. Members to suggest to the Government that they should recognise a de facto Government who are guilty of so many brutal murders, as these people have been?

Mr. Speaker

That is really something like a bogus point of order. It is in order for hon. Members to suggest any course to the Government that seems to them to be a good one.