HC Deb 30 April 1930 vol 238 cc184-5
22. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the present unemployment in the country, he will take steps to see that in all future orders for hydroelectric plant in Palestine opportunities will be given to this country to put in tenders for future requirements?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the question asked by him yesterday.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that all the plant in the power station at Haifa was ordered in Germany, without any tender being given to this country; and cannot he make representations to the Zionist Executive occasionally to give some orders to this country?

Dr. SHIELS

As I pointed out in the answer which I gave yesterday, these firms are private firms, and the Government have no power to influence them.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Privy Seal, when he held the hon. Gentleman's office, stated that he had taken many steps to ensure orders to this country, and that he intended to carry out that policy? Will not the hon. Gentleman also carry out that policy?

Dr. SHIELS

The hon. and gallant Member must be aware that Palestine is a mandated territory, and we are not allowed to make discrimination in these matters in the direction of benefiting our own country.

Sir F. HALL

We all recognise that we must not make discrimination, but cannot the hon. Gentleman, on behalf of the Government, make suggestions?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not right that we should ask the Minister to use his good offices in the position he occupies to see that work of this description is brought to this country, seeing that so many of our engineers are idle?

Dr. SHIELS

Naturally, I am as much in sympathy with that supplementary question as hon. Members on the other side of the House, but it will be realised that it is a little difficult to distinguish between using official influence and unofficial influence. We certainly are anxious to see all these contracts placed in this country, but, as I have said, we cannot by Government intervention influence private firms.

Sir HERBERT SAMUEL

Is it not the case that the bulk of these orders have been placed in this country?

Dr. SHIELS

I think that a large number have been.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Are not the engineers employed, German?