"ملفات 61/12 و 61/16 (D 80) معاهدة بين بان سعود والحكومة البريطانية" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٦] (٤٠٨/٣١٨)

OFFICIAL RSPORT 13th APRIL 1927
SULTAN OF NSJD .
ME WAKDLAW-MILNS aaked the Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs if he can give the House any information
regarding the progress of negotiations between this
country and the Sultan of Nejd regarding the future of
the Holy Places of Islam, and the conditions of the
Haj pilgrimage?
Tine SJSCaSTARf OF STATS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
(Sir Austen Chamberlain): I presume that the hon.
Gentleman refers to the negotiations recently initiated
with Ibn Saud, King of the Heja2 and Sultan of Nejd, for
a treaty to replace the treaty concluded with that
sovereign in 1915, when he was Sultan of Nejd only.
These negotiations were not, however, in any way
connected with the future of the Holy Places of Islam,
that question being a matter of purely Moslem concern
in which it would be unfitting for His Majesty's
Government to intervene. The negotiations were
temporarily suspended in December in order that the
British negotiator might return to London to consult
His Majesty*s Government on certain points. Arrangements
have now been made to resume them in the near future.
MR. WARDLAW-MILNB; Is it a fact that these
negotiations include provision for the peaceful
approach to the Holy Places by pilgrims who are British
subj ects?
SIR A. CHAMB 7 IRLAIN; Perhaps the hon. Member
will give me notice of that question.
liBUT . •COMMANDBR KHWWOHTIfY: When these
negotiations are resumed, will there be an examination
into the question of stationing a representative of His
Majesty permanently at the Court of the Sultan, for the
better protection of British nationals?
COLOm WEDGWOOD: Will the right hon. Gentle
man tell the House whether the present British Consul