§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs since it is admitted that Mesopotamia is for the time being in military occupation, whether the immediate appointment of a military-governor who is well acquainted with the conditions of trade and development of the country would be welcomed both by the India office and the Foreign Office; whether the position of the chief political officer is somewhat difficult at present, since his instructions are not sufficiently definite to enable him to arrive at imme- 1645W diate decisions which are necessary if British trading enterprise is to receive that encouragement which is compatible with after-war trade development?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government are quite satisfied with the present provisional arrangements for the civil administration of Mesopotamia, and see no necessity for a change such as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. With regard to the second part of the question, I know of no adequate grounds for modifying the position of the Civil Commissioner or amplifying his instructions.