LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I wish to ask His Majesty's Government whether they have presented to the King of the Hejaz that part of the Hejaz Railway which lies in Trans-Jordan, and, if so, on what grounds.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ARNOLD)My Lords, the answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The position is that King Hussein has set up at Medina a Board of Control for that section of the Hejaz Railway which lies within the Hejaz. At a recent interview with the High Commissioner for Palestine, he made various suggestions for the future control 545 of those sections of the Hejaz Railway which lie in Trans-Jordan and the Hejaz. These suggestions are now being considered by His Majesty's Government, but no final arrangement has been made. At the present time the railway as far south as Amman is being administered under the direction of the High Commissioner for Palestine. The remaining portion of the line is being temporarily administered with the Hejaz section.
LORD RAGLANWould the noble Lord say whom he regards as the actual owners of this railway? He knows, no doubt, that part of the Hejaz Railway is in Palestine.
§ LORD ARNOLDI think the noble Lord has been fully informed on the points he raised.
§ LORD ARNOLDThere is nothing in the Question about ownership. If the noble Lord wishes to have a precise statement on that point perhaps he will be good enough to put down a Question.