§ 23. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the desirability of the development of the Palestine oilfields as a source of supply for the Royal Navy?
Sir P. CUMAIFE-LISTERI am sure that the Government of Palestine would be ready to consider favourably any business-like proposition for prospecting for oil in the territory, and for the development of any promising field that might he discovered.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESWould the right hon. Gentleman impress on his colleagues the necessity of using Welsh coal as fuel supply for the Navy?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not think that Palestine oil is likely to be a serious competitor with Welsh coal.
§ Sir A. KNOXIf these deeper borings prove that this oil can be effectively worked, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the concession is given to a British syndicate and not to a Russian Jew?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think all this is a little premature. I am sorry to say that I have not yet had any authentic information as to the probability of there being oil, deep or shallow.