§ 19. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what authority Mr. Novomeysky carried out investigations on the Dead Sea in situ when the British group was repeatedly informed by His Majesty's Government that no investigations whatsoever could be carried out in situ until peace with Turkey had been signed and ratified?
§ Mr. AMERYMr. Novomeysky was working in Palestine on the question of the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea as far back as 1911. He returned to Palestine and took up his residence there in 1920. I am not aware whether he then renewed his investigations or obtained permission to do so from the Palestine Government. I would add that the decision of principle to grant the concession to Major Tulloch and Mr. Novomeysky was not based on considerations of priority either of application or of investigation.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why Mr. Novomeysky was allowed to continue work there, whereas, whenever the British group applied, they were told they could not do it until after peace had been signed with Turkey, which was not until 1926?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWho is the British group? Is it the hon. Member opposite?
§ Mr. CRAWFURDCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the implication contained in the question that the group to whom the concession has been granted in principle is a non-British group is a false implication?
§ Mr. AMERYOne of the principal promoters of it, Major Tulloch, is a British subject, and I think there are other British subjects.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) has received a letter asking him to repeat outside this House the allegations that they are a non-British group, in order that legal proceedings may be taken?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYI have not received that letter.