HC Deb 03 June 1959 vol 606 cc192-3
41. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in settling with the Iraqi Government the damages to be paid for the burning of the British Embassy in Bagdad.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ormsby-Gore)

The Iraqi Government orally accepted responsibility in principle to pay compensation on 20th August, 1958. They have been examining our claim carefully and we hope they will shortly make a settlement.

In this connection, a representative of the Ministry of Works had technical discussions with representatives of the Iraqi Ministry of Communications and Works in the first week of May, concerning aspects of the claim relating to the Embassy Residence and its contents.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a settlement of this matter is long overdue? Why should Britain be treated like this by the Iraqi Government? Will my right hon. Friend insist that before any armaments are supplied to Iraq they should pay this bill which is now due?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

We have made it clear to the Iraqi authorities repeatedly that we think they should settle this claim without any further delay, and we shall continue to make those representations.

Mr. Bevan

Are we to have a contra-account?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, Sir.

Mr. Bevan

Is there no co-ordination between the various Government Departments? If the Iraqi Government are purchasing aeroplanes from this country, can we not set off this claim relating to the burning down of the Embassy?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I thought the right hon. Gentleman was suggesting that the Iraqi Government had certain claims against us and I replied that there are none.

Mr. Bevan

What is meant by a contra-account is this. If one person owes money to another person, and vice versa, one can be set off against the other.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I certainly hope that this matter will be settled long before that.

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