Oral Answers to Questions — Iraq. – in the House of Commons at on 6 July 1925.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cost of the Civil Service in Iraq per annum in pounds sterling: how many persons are in it; and how many of these are of British birth or descent?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
The cost of the Iraq Civil Service for the past financial year was approximately £1,090,000. I am unable to give the total number of persons in that Service, but it contains at. present approximately 155 British officials.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the percentage of British officials represented by this number?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
I could not give the percentage, because I do not know the total, but it is very small.
Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy
, Kingston upon Hull Central
Could we not have some sort of estimate of the total number, because I want to know the proportion of British officials? Has the right hon. Gentleman any further information to give me which will throw light upon that point?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
I will try to get it, but the proportion is a very small one indeed.
Mr Fredric Wise
, Ilford
Is this a reduction?
Lieut-Colonel Leo Amery
, Birmingham Sparkbrook
Yes, the numbers have been steadily reduced during the last few years.
Mr Fredric Wise
, Ilford
And the cost?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
