– in the House of Commons at on 9 September 1941.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
asked the Secretary of State for War whether the army of Rashid Ali, in Iraq, has been allowed to retain its arms?
Mr David Margesson
, Rugby
Under the armistice terms the Iraqi Army was permitted to retain its arms and equipment.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Is not this taken as an act of weakness on our part by the natives of Iraq, and, far from fighting against the Germans, will not the presence of these troops on our lines of communication require a considerable number of troops that might otherwise be assisting the Russians?
Mr David Margesson
, Rugby
The answer to the first question is, in my view, "No, Sir," and to the second question, that it is really a matter of opinion.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Is it not carrying appeasement too far to allow these people who are a danger to retain their arms?
Mr David Margesson
, Rugby
That is not the view which is taken.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
Is care being exercised to see that the arms will. not be used against us?
Mr David Margesson
, Rugby
Yes, Sir.
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.
