§ 30. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any representations from the Arabs with regard to the giving of the concession of the Dead Sea salts to Mr. Novomesky; and whether, in view of the effect that this concession is having upon our relations with the Arabs, he will reconsider his decision?
§ Mr. AMERYI have received representations from the Executive Committee of the Palestine Arab Congress advocating the exploitation of the Dead Sea salts by the Palestine and Transjordan Governments instead of by private enterprise. They were informed that in view of the highly technical nature of the undertaking it was not one which could properly be worked by the Government. I would again point out that the concession has not been given to Mr. Novomesky as suggested in the question, but that negotiations have been entered into for 12 arranging the terms of a lease for the working of the salts with Major Tulloch and Mr. Novomesky jointly.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the views of the Arabs with regard to this concession, which affects not only Palestine, but Transjordania, and they strongly object to any pro-Zionist?
§ Mr. AMERYWe are entirely concerned with securing the best and most efficient working of the Dead Sea salts by private enterprise.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these two gentlemen have the necessary qualifications?
§ Mr. AMERYAs far as the technical qualifications are concerned, we have received very satisfactory reports, and we are still negotiating with them to make sure that they have all the other business qualifications.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYHas Mr. Novomesky these necessary qualifications?
§ 31. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. Novomesky is at present in Palestine; and whether any other applicant for this concession is not a British subject?
§ Mr. AMERYSo far as I am aware Mr. Novomesky is at present in Palestine. My information is that one of the other applicants for the Dead Sea salts concession is not a British subject.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the only other foreign applicant a Canadian subject who fought in the War in the Canadian Army and afterwards became a United States citizen? Has my right hon. Friend not taken the only applicant who has not been a British subject?
§ Mr. AMERYI am not aware of the facts stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, but under the Mandate we cannot exclude the subjects of other nationalities.