§ Mrs. RUNGEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken or are being taken by the League of Nations or by the British Government to ensure, under the grant of independence to Iraq, the fullest measure of protection for the Nestorian Christians; whether any difficulties are now being thrown in the way of these Nestorian Christians obtaining Iraqian naturalisation; and whether, if any difficulties of this nature are brought to his notice, he will investigate them?
Sir P. CUNLLFFE-LISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. At their meeting on 19th May the Council of the League of Nations approved a set of undertakings, to be formally assumed by Iraq before the termination of the mandatory régime, 843W which are designed fully to safeguard the position of racial and religious minorities in Iraq. As regards the remainder of the question, the 'majority of Nestorian Christians in Iraq are already Iraqi nationals. The grant of Iraqi naturalisation is governed by the terms of the Iraqi nationality law, and is at the discretion of the responsible Iraqi Minister. The law prescribes inter alia that the applicant must have resided in Iraq for the three years immediately preceeding his application. I have no reason to suppose that in the application of the law discrimination is being shown against Nestorian Christians or members of any other community in Iraq.