§ 12. Mr. BECKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the amount that this country has contributed towards the safety and welfare of Palestine, any special agreement has been come to whereby all contracts for the electrical 9 and mechanical equipment necessary for developing the potential electric power from the Jordan will be placed in this country, to the exclusion of all others?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BECKERIf the loan is floated successfully in this country, is there a possibility of a clause being inserted that we shall have the benefit of the contracts from this undertaking?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo. This has reference to a private enterprise in Palestine, and, by the terms of the Mandate, equal opportunities for trade and commerce to all nations who are members of the League is essential.
§ Mr. BECKERIs a Mandate which has been passed by the General Assembly of the League of Nations, but has not been approved by this House, operative?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs it not a question of approval by this House, as I explained in answer to a previous question. We have given the undertaking that we shall administer Palestine in accordance with the terms of the Mandate.