HC Deb 11 April 1927 vol 205 c13
14. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the settled policy of His Majesty's Government in Palestine not to build roads paralleling railways; does this policy apply to a road down the Emek from Haifa to Beisan, where the railway paralleled does not belong to the Government; and does it apply to a road between Jaffa and Haifa where the railway does belong to the Government?

Mr. AMERY

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Every proposal for road construction in Palestine is considered on its merits by the Palestine Government, which is advised by a Road Board. It may, of course, be undesirable, on economic grounds, to construct a road which would' merely compete with the traffic on an existing line of railway.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the difference between the railway which does not belong to the Government and the railway which does belong to the Government?

Mr. AMERY

That will no doubt be considered.