HC Deb 30 June 1919 vol 117 c658W
Major GLYN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which Department of the Foreign Office is concerned with questions of policy relating to Mesopotamia; whether the Civil Commissioners now in Mesopotamia were appointed by the Foreign Office; and if not, by whom were they appointed and to whom are they responsible?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Questions of policy relative to Mesopotamia are decided, except in cases where reference is made to the Cabinet, by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in consultation with the Secretary of State for India. Mesopotamia is for the time being in military occupation; the Chief Political Officer performs the functions of Civil Commissioner, and selects the civil administrative staff, who are responsible to him. He is an officer in the service of the Government of India.