HC Deb 22 March 1927 vol 204 cc209-10
70. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any Report on railway development and extension in Palestine; when the deviation of the main line through Tel Aviv to Haifa will be put in hand; and whether the central station for Tel Aviv-Jaffa will be in Tel Aviv, as recommended, or in Jaffa?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

I have received the Report of the railway expert who visited Palestine in 1925, and that Report has been the subject of careful consideration by the High Commissioner and myself. Funds to meet the cost of diverting the main railway line through Tel Aviv are not at present available, and the immediate needs of that town for improved communications are being met by the construction of a metalled road from Jaffa to Petah Tikvah passing through Tel Aviv. Steps are being taken to reserve a suitable site for the construction of a Tel Aviv-Jaffa railway station when funds to meet the cost of the diversion become available. The site selected lies in the general town planning area of Jaffa and will be included in a special development scheme for Tel Aviv.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Was not provision made in the loan for sums for this railway diversion?

Mr. AMERY

I hope that sums from the loan may become available, but there are more important first claims on the loan.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the site of the railway station as recommended by the Report, or has it been changed?

Mr. AMERY

I could not say exactly.

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