§ Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for Air what are the? total British forces maintained in Iraq, Palestine, and Transjordan; what is their cost to the Exchequer; and how does this cost compare with the cost which would in any event have to be incurred to keep them at home or in Egypt or elsewhere?
§ Sir S. HOAREAt present the British forces in Iraq consist of live squadrons of aircraft and an armoured car wing, and in Palestine and Transjordan one squadron of aircraft and an armoured car wing. The cost of these to the Exchequer in the current year is approximately £1,750,000, of which about £250,000 may be taken as the extra cost of stationing them in those countries. The total charge is, of course, on a descending scale, in consequence of the reductions which have taken place and are still in contemplation.
§ Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cost to the British Exchequer of the civil administration of Iraq, Palestine and Transjordania respectively?
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§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe civil administration of Iraq does not, in itself, involve any charge on the British Exchequer, but the current Estimates include £25,000 to meet the British share of the cost of the High Commission in Iraq and revotes of £2,000 and £1,000 respectively for the British share of the cost of a Boundary Commission, and for compensation to certain British officials whose appointments have been, or are being, terminated by the Iraq Government. The civil administration of Palestine involves no charge on the British Exchequer. A contribution of £40,000 is made in the current Estimates towards the expenses of the Trans-Jordan civil administration.