HC Deb 11 June 1928 vol 218 cc611-3
17. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with regard to the Dead Sea concession, the concessionnaires are to be left free to obtain and make use of any labour of any nationality, or are they to he restricted to any one nationality?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given to him on the 30th November and 5th December last and to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bath (Captain Foxcroft) an the 7th December, to the effect that the provisions to be inserted in the concession could not be made public before the concession is granted. I can assure him that the point which he raises has not been overlooked.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Can the right hon. Gentleman contradict the statement, which has been widely made, that only Jewish labour is allowed to be employed by the concessionnaires on these contracts, without regard to the fact that in Palestine the majority of the people are Arabs?

Mr. AMERY

I have not heard that rumour, and I have no reason to believe that such a provision is in contemplation.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will this House be taken into consultation before the terms of the concession are decided on?

Mr. AMERY

When the terms of the concession are definitely agreed, it will be open to the House to take it into consideration before final action is taken.

18. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the capital offered by the group said to form the financial backing of Mr. Novomeysky is considered to be enough for the complete development of the Dead Sea products to the stage of an estabished commercial industry or whether it is an amount sufficient only for an initial experimental stage?

Mr. AMERY

I am advised that the present financial supporters of Messrs. Tulloch and Novomeysky command the capital necessary for the development of the undertaking for several years after it has commenced production on a commercial scale. If the undertaking proves a success further capital may doubtless be required.

Sir F. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied in his own mind that these two concessionnaires, as they practically are, are not going round the City of London asking for financial assistance and that they have got the actual financial backing, such as it is known the group of British capitalists who offered to undertake this business possess?

Mr. AMERY

I think I have explained before that these concessionnaires were approved as of sufficient financial stability, but we are going further into the matter with them. The whole matter is still under discussion and the Crown Agents are negotiating with them.

Sir F. HALL

May I take it, as the right hon. Gentleman uses the word "concessionnaires," that he agrees that the concession has been practically given to these two persons?

Mr. AMERY

No. I have explained before that the matter was put up to tender and the most favourable tender was accepted, subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions which are still under discussion. If those conditions are not fulfilled, the matter lapses and the whole field is open again; if, on the other hand, the conditions are satisfied, then these two gentlemen have a prior claim.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that they have sufficient backing?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question is only a repetition.