§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether constructional work has commenced on the new deep-water harbour at Haifa; when the work is expected to be completed; and whether arrangements have been made for a pipe line from the Mosul oilfields to be taken to the new Haifa harbour and space reserved for refineries, filling stations and oil storage tanks?
Mr. ORIMSBY-GOREIt is hoped that the construction of the harbour at Haifa will be started during the next few months, but I am unable to say when the works will be completed. I am not aware that any decision has yet been reached by the oil company concerned as to a pipe line from the Mosul oilfields. In framing the plans for the harbour at Haifa the desirability of providing for possible oil developments at the port has been fully borne in mind.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWith regard to the date on which the work will be completed, is there no time limit for the contractors who build the moles?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo; there are no contractors yet.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen the contracts are given out, will there not be some time limit, in view of the urgent need of this deep-sea harbour?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think it very likely that there will not be a contract. The harbour will more likely be constructed departmentally.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt will take a much longer time.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAnd you will get much better work.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn view of the fact that the starting of this work has been postponed over and over again, when is it likely that the initial work of preparation will actually commence, and when will the Department get to work?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs a matter of fact, a great deal is going on about this with the consulting engineers at the moment, and, as I said, I hope that the work will be commenced in the next few months.