File 4613/1919 Pt 1 'Mesopotamia: Land Policy (Tenure and Acquisition) (General file)' [‎290r] (19/98)

In any further communication
on the subject, please quote
no. 160457/M. E.44A
8379
and address—
The Under-Secretary of State,
Foreign Office,
Foreign Office
London.
December 22nd 1919
>
J
Sir,
With reference to your letter No .P.6435 of the loth
instant, on the subject of Land Policy in Mesopotamia, I am
directed oy Earl Curzon of Kedleston to state, for the
information of Mr.Secretary Montagu, that the assumption in
paragraph five of your letter under reference, that this
Department letter No. 128145/M.E.44A of the 19th of September
referred in particular to agricultural lands, is correct.
2. While His Lordship considers that the general
principles on which the letter from this Department was
based, ; should be kept in mind as a guide in all transac
tions of the nature of those now proposed, he fully realises
that individual cases must be dealt with on their own
merits.
3. In this connection, however, I am to observe that
the views expressed below are not intended by His Lordship
to be interpreted as referring to any possible transactions
in the Mosul vilayet, in which area he is of opinion that
concessions should only be granted in very exceptional cir
cumstances, and after a reference to the Home authorities
in each case.
4. The proposed transactions appear to fall under
four main heads
A. The sale or lease of agricultural land, in respect of
which Lord Curzon adheres to his previous ruling, as
expressed in this Department’s letter No.128145/M.E.44A.
B. The taking over of running military concerns, as for
example electric power stations, which would otherwise,
The Under Secretary of State,
collapse
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