HC Deb 30 April 1907 vol 173 cc693-4
MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the contract for the proposed raising of the Assouan Dam, by over twenty-five feet, will be put out to public tender; and, if not, can he state to the House how this work is to be carried out.

SIR EDWARD GREY

An offer from Messrs. Aird to raise the dam for £E1,037,000 has been accepted.

MR. ASHLEY

Is this money to be provided out of the revenue of Egypt?

[No Answer was returned.]

MR. BOWLES

Was this the only offer received, or was an opportunity afforded to other firms to undertake the work?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I will make inquiries as to that.

MR. BOWLES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any correspondence has passed between the Foreign Office and Lord Cromer as to the allocation of the contract for the proposed heightening of the Assouan Dam; and, if so, whether he can lay that correspondence upon the Table or state its purport to the House.

SIR EDWARD GREY

No correspondence regarding the allocation of the contract has passed with Lord Cromer with the exception of a telegram stating; that Messrs. Aird's offer has been accepted.