'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎258v] (519/862)

392 ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC LIFE
The duration of Parliament is normally for 4 years, and the yearly
session lasts 4 months. Draft bills may be submitted in the first
instance to either Chamber. Standing committees are an important
part of the legislative machinery. All bills are referred to one or other
of them, and the recommendations of committees carry great weight.
A bill to become law must have the approval of the king and of both
branches of the legislative body. When one Chamber rejects what
the other has passed a joint session is held. To secure assent to a bill
a two-thirds majority is required at these joint sessions.
The administration of the country rests in the hands of a cabinet
of eight or nine members, jointly responsible to parliament for their
general policy, under a Prime Minister appointed by the king, who
also appoints the other members of the Cabinet on the nomination
of the Prime Minister. The ministries consist of the Interior, Foreign
Affairs, Defence, Finance, Social Affairs, Communications and
Public Works, Economic Affairs including Agriculture, Education,
and Justice. The titles of the several ministries describe briefly their
functions. They are staffed with very few exceptions by Iraqi sub
jects, the few exceptions being less than a dozen British advisers
appointed to some of the departments. Under a law of April 1927
the further engagement of foreigners was practically prohibited, such
an appointment to be made only if no Iraqi were available. In that
event the approval of the Council of Ministers had to be given to the
appointment. In these circumstances the number of foreign, that is
to say British, officials other than advisers was continually being re
duced (p. 296). Under the Civil Service law, appointments to the
civil service are limited not only to Iraqi subjects but to those who
have enjoyed that citizenship for at least 5 years. Early in 1943, how
ever, in the exceptional circumstances of the war, it was realized that
the support of British officials was essential. A few were therefore
again appointed to controlling positions in some of the ministries,
for the most part in the technical departments, such as the Director
General of Imports and Economic Adviser to the High Supply
Council, the Director General of Transport, and the Director General
of Local Products.
Central and Local Government
The functions of the Ministry of the Interior or ‘Home Office’,
the principal department of state, are generally the same as those of
ministries of similar title in other countries. Apart from the general
internal administration of the country it deals specifically with Muni-