'Mesopotamian Constitution. Memorandum by Mr. H. R. C. Dobbs, C.S.I., Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, on the proposals of the Bonham-Carter Committee' [‎111r] (4/6)

4. Para. 17. Constitution of Legislative Assembly.
only tentative^' UndLTo'ttelodA 0 and Shod B Appe t nd f ix C-. are confessedly
tribal representation is to be secured under election hv th i. i m A PP end ^ 0..
sections The word "sub-section" is a verv va<C 7 headm en of tribal sub-
consist of only 20 men or so others of J j i some sub -sections may
sections continually vary, and it is someZL red i , 0i The Iimi te of suV
what sub-section lie belongs Arabs oftpn + ^Possible to get an Arab to say to
section to another, and all these divisions are exhl 1 ^g^nce from one sub-
other hand, the really important tribes and their lead^mT^" 6 ' 8 s ^ iftin g- On the
It is essential that the authority of the Shpikb- r f +V, , •/ ivisions are well known,
and it will almost certainly be raoid v ^ 0 3hould be maintained ;
to be allowed to elect representatives without^hA 1 kmcis of petty headmen are
tribal system could no^ 10^^^^'^ of Sheikhs. The
will rapidty develop in the Legislative f i'* 01 P ies . uma b i y the practice
of executive matter. The tribal representatives in the AfsembfvTilfby killd
to provide that the High Commiss oner shaH mamtiin^'rV SfiemS advis3bIe
Sheikhs in the countr/who should have a ^ht ^reprLe^
thiis' ^bp ' elther .' n P er ® o n or by delegate, the representation of the principfftribls
thus being practically by nominated instead of by elected members There will
tioL in whicrno bL t " be8 ^ tribeS o£ s P ecian y democratic constitu-
by representatives efected^Iy 8 headma'n.^
Clause {2) Indian representation.—As in the case of the Council of State it
seems essential that there should be some representation of the many Indians'in
Mesopotamm. Some period of residence should be fixed for the purpose of qualifvin^
an Indian to vote. F 4 ' y &
C ommercial representation. Fhere is no specific provision for the representation
ot commercial interests. Under heading {h) it is proposed that there shall be elected
members representing the Jewish and Christian communities, but these communities
are probably intended to be the indigenous Jewish and Christian communities. There
should be at least one or two members to represent the interests of the big commercial
firms, whether British or foreign. It might be best to provide that these members
shall be nominated by the High Commissioner.
5. Para. 18. Functions of the Legislative Assembly.
Clause (2) (6).—It would seem advisable to provide that, where the Council of
State and the Legislative Assembly disagree about the issue of a law or the imposition
of a tax, the matter should be specifically referred to the High Commissioner with a
joint report by the Presidents of the two Councils.
General.
(1) There should be a definite period laid down for the duration of the Legislative
Assembly.
(2) It would be convenient to enter a proviso in the constituent rules regarding
the Legislative Assembly that no law passed shall automatically extend to purely
Bedouin raider® t+ -n V e ^P ecllt ions, for instant ^iuer&. i here may
inconvenient for him to consult he Council ner 8 '^ 1 ' 8l ? a11 be when It is
the purpose of doing so. n011 P ersoila %. to depute a special official for