HC Deb 18 June 1930 vol 240 cc378-9
14. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to explain the circumstances under which the White Corporation of the United States of America was invited to make a preliminary technical study of the site of the dam to be constructed by the Government of Abyssinia across the outlet of Lake Tsana, and the nature of the effort he made to secure that this undertaking should be entrusted to a British engineering firm?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As long ago as 1924, the Abyssinian Government made it clear that it was their intention to construct this dam themselves. To this decision His Majesty's Government could not object, and, as their chief concern was to get the dam constructed, they could only defer to the wishes of the Abyssinian Government when the latter selected for the task an American firm of such undoubted competence as the White Corporation.

Mr. HANNON

Have His Majesty's Government, either at that time or since, made any representation to the Abyssinian Government on behalf of British undertakings?

Mr. HENDERSON

No. I think that I made it clear that they did not for the reasons stated.

Mr. HANNON

But did not the representative of our Government in Sudan actually advise the Abyssinian Government on this project, and could not something have been done to influence this contract?

Mr. HENDERSON

His Majesty's Government felt that they could not interfere with the prerogative of the Abyssinian Government, and that it was more important to get the dam completed, whichever firm had to do it.