asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been come to regarding the future position of British officials on the Iraq railways?

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Everard) on the 20th of November last.

Are we to understand—taking into account the reply to which the hon. Gentleman refers—that a final decision has been come to regarding the future of these officials.

No, Sir, that is not so. Negotiations are still proceeding as opportunity offers. The position is that these arrangements were not made when the railways were taken over by the Iraq Government, and, therefore, we can only proceed at present by negotiation, and whenever possible this is being done.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the question has now been hanging over for a number of years, and does he not think that the time has come to put an end to it; and is not the future of these British officials a matter of concern to the Colonial Office?

Yes, Sir, it is a matter of great concern, but I must point out that the railways have now passed under the control of the Iraq Government. This matter was not settled at the time when that control was taken over, and, therefore, the conditions are not favourable for pressing the matter from our side. We are doing what we can.

When are we likely to have a specific reply?

I can give no date and no assurance except that we are trying to regularise the position. We are anxious to make it right, but we can act in the matter only as we have the opportunity and the power.