§ 13. Mr. BECKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if any progress has been made this year towards harnessing the latent water power in Palestine under the Rutenberg Concessions; and has any electrical energy been produced?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, Sir. I am informed that considerable progress has been made under the Auja Concession, which, as the House is aware, is the only concession that has actually been granted. Power house, cables and transformers have been installed and net-work erected in Tel Aviv and Jaffa, where the current is now available. In anticipation of the supply, 225 applications for connections had been received in Tel Aviv and Jaffa up to 28th June, including many from Arabs. Supply of current began on 28th June.
§ Captain Viscount CURZONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the machinery was installed by British or by foreign firms?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt was installed by the Rutenberg Company.