asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why public tenders were not invited for the supply of oil fuel for the railways in Iraq; and whether any effort whatever has been made to secure supplies from any other quarter before deciding that no further reduction can be expected?

The negotiations for the supply of oil fuel for the Iraq railways have been conducted in Bagdad, though His Majesty's Government have been able to arrange for a reduction in the price recently by action in London. The High Commissioner will be asked to report whether any alternative source of supply has been considered or is available.