§ 30. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the declaration by His Majesty King Feisul, at Khanakin, that an oil pipe-line would be laid to the Mediterranean, this project is as yet being surveyed; if the line will pass entirely through British mandated territory; and whether the terminus will be at Haifa as proposed?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)So far as I am aware, no survey for a pipe-line has yet been begun. As regards the latter part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman on 21st March last.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that the oil at Khanakin belongs to the British Government and that the pipe-line will be laid by the British Government or by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which is a British concern; and will he see that the pipe-line comes out at Haifa and not in French territory?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Anglo-Persian Oil Company, although the Government have shares in it, is a private company and is governed by ordinary commercial considerations. At the same time the British Government would naturally prefer that the outlet should be in British territory.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs that not a question which in the last resort the British Government can decide?