§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total cost incurred by this country in consequence of our civil and military commitments in Iraq?
580W
§ Mr. AMERYWith regard to the expenditure in respect of Iraq prior to the year 1926–1927, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Short) on the 25th February, 1926. The figures of expenditure for the years 1926–1927 and 1927–1928 are as follow:
£ 1926–1927 … 3,448,929 1927–1928 (estimate) … 2,759,000 Apart from the British share of the cost of the High Commission, the civil expenditure now borne by His Majesty's Government in Iraq is nil. The remainder of the expenditure is mainly in respect of the maintenance of the Royal Air Force in Iraq. For the year 1927 the estimate of the total cost of the Royal Air Force was £1,975,000. Of this sum, £300,000 represents the estimated excess cost of stationing this force in Iraq as compared with Great Britain. As a setoff against the total expenditure, receipts amounting in all to £698,802 have been brought to account.