§ 10 and 11. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether, in view of the need of cheap potash for British agriculture and the necessity of this country to be free of the German potash monopoly, the question of the Dead Sea concession will be settled before the end of May;
(2) whether he has now heard from the Transjordanian Government with regard to the Dead Sea concessions and is in a position to make a statement to the House regarding their views?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI will answer these questions together. As my right hon. Friend stated on the 7th of February, he has received the reply of the Trans-Jordan Government. Both they and the Palestine Government have now authorised the conclusion of the draft concession. My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a definite offer to the prospective concessionaires at an early date. If it is accepted, and if other connected matters are satisfactorily arranged, the concession will be duly signed. That, I hope, will certainly take place before the date mentioned in the hon. Member's question.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the Under-Secretary aware that this concession has been granted in principle to Mr. Novomesky for two years? If he has not the requisite financial backing, cannot my right hon. Friend give this concession to those who are prepared to work, and who have the necessary financial backing?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, Sir; the concession has not been granted to Mr. Novomesky. It has been offered provisionally to Major Tulloch and Mr. 1479 Novomesky in equal shares, and we have no reason to doubt that these two gentlemen can raise the necessary finance.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs my right hon. Friend aware that Major Tulloch has handed over a power of attorney to Mr. Novomesky, giving him complete control?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIn reference to the second part of the first question which deals with the necessity of freeing this concession from the German potash monopoly, is it not the fact that what is known as the French group, about which the hon. and gallant Member has interested himself before, has made arrangements with the German potash monopoly for the European markets?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI should like notice of questions of detail like that. The whole arrangements in connection with the sale of potash throughout the world are extremely complex and involve extremely complicated financial transactions.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the Under-Secretary aware that the whole object is to try and obtain an independent potash supply free from German monopoly, and that the French are most likely to be antagonistic to German monopoly?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am not aware of that fact. The whole object in this matter is to see fair play to those who tendered for this concession when we advertised it throughout the world.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance with regard to these concessionaires, who have been granted this monopoly in principle, that the conditions set forth in the question of independence of the German monopoly, obtain?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is difficult to answer while negotiations are still under discussion. There is another question on the Order Paper dealing with this point, but, in view of the fact that these negotiations are still going on, I should like these questions put down.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALA rose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think everyone will agree that we have had quite enough of this question.
§ 13. Captain CAZALETasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the final agreements now being considered by the Palestinian Government in regard to the Dead Sea concessions contain provisions to ensure permanent British control and the avoidance of a monopoly control by any group or organisation interested in the production or sale of potash?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIn view of the terms of the mandate, my right hon. Friend does not think that it would be practicable to enact such provisions as are indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part any concession that is granted will provide that the operating company shall not, without the previous written consent of the Palestine and Transjordan Governments, enter into any arrangement for the restriction of output, or the raising or keeping up of prices, in such a manner as to restrict output.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNWould the right hon. Gentleman do something to educate his own party in the elementary principles of trusteeship?