asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the strength of the present force of Arab levies in Iraq; what tribes are they composed of J what is the cost of these levies; and who pays for them?

According to the latest return the strength of the Iraq levies on 2nd November was approximately 4,800. The force is composed of Arabs, Kurds and Assyrians. The estimated cost of the levies during the current financial year is £600,000, which sum is provided in the Middle Eastern Services Vote.