"ملف XXV/٦ شؤون عربية (بما في ذلك بلاد الرافدين). شؤون بلاد الرافدين ١٩٢٠" [ظ‎‎١‎٠] (٩٤/٢٠)

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Telegram—E. Pty. A.
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—India Office, London.
NoJillS.
Dir i 27th April, 1920.
Legislative Assembly.
One —members to be elected, or preferably chosen by elected local bodies.
Method of election requires further study and consultation with local author
ities but Committee consider election of local bodies which would be really
representative quite practicable and put up tentative proposals—
Two —to number about 50 members and consist of (1) elected members
for town and country at rate of one member to about 50,000 inhabitants (2)
members elected separately by Jewish and Christian communities and (3)
Arab members of Council—
Three —President to be an Arab nominated by the Council of State.
Owing to lack of experience of Arabs in public affairs he would not necessarily
be chosen from elected members.
Functions of Legislative Assembly—
One —The Egyptian Organic Law of 1913 may serve as a precedent subject
to modifications—
Two —Laws to be issued and taxes imposed by the Council of State nor
mally with concurrence of Legislative Assembly but without this concurrence
if Assembly refuse to pass law after joint sessions and submission of law a
second time. Committee consider it essential to retain for the Council of State
power to pass laws without the Assembly’s concurrence in case of necessity—
Three —Council of State to have power enjoyed by Council of Ministers
under Turkish Constitution to pass temporary laws on condition that these are
submitted to the following session of the Legislative Assembly.
Fo%t,r —Private members to have power to initiate legislation, except as
regards constitutional matters and taxation.
Five —The Assembly to'have power to pass resolutions as to matters con
cerning internal government of Mesopotamia. If Government does not accept
them it must explain reasons.
Six —Annual budget to be issued by Decree of Council of State to be
previously submitted to Legislative Assembly for advice and observation. If
advice offered not accepted reasons must l>e given. No existing rate of
taxation to be increased or new tax imposed except by a law.
Sevtin —Annual accounts to be submitted.
Eight —Members may ask questions in writing.
Nine —British Secretaries and other heads of departments to have right
to attend Legislative Assembly and to speak and introduce measures but not
to vote.
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