Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government is still paying Emir Abdulla £5,000 a year or incurring any, and, if so, what, recurring charge on account of Trans-Jordania?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Emir Abdulla receives no direct subsidy from His Majesty's Government. The revenues of Trans-Jordania furnish monthly pay- 1375W ments for his personal expenses. Owing principally to the heavy charge for the recruitment of defence services, there is an excess of expenditure over revenue amounting to about £100,000 in the Trans-Jordania Estimates for 1922–23. Provision for this amount, which is not much more than half of what was voted last year, is made in Middle East Services Vote for 1922–23 in the form of a Grant-in-Aid. This will not, however, be a permanent and recurring charge, and I have every hope that only a small Grant-in-Aid, if any, will be required in 1923–24.