§ 1. Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature and extent of the projected engineering schemes in connection with Lake Tsana, in which the Abyssinian, Egyptian, and Sudan Governments are jointly concerned; why an American engineering firm has been entrusted with preliminary surveying work at the expense of the Egyptian Government; and whether he will consider representing to the three Governments concerned, two of which have close relations with the British Empire, the pre-eminence of British engineering firms in schemes of development in remote countries?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)No report having yet been furnished on the most recent survey at Lake Tsana, I am unable to express an opinion as to the nature and extent of any engineering projects which might ultimately, in the opinions of the several Governments concerned, be considered desirable. With regard to the second part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that Lake Tsana lies wholly within Ethiopian territory: it is thus for the Ethiopian Government to decide who should be entrusted with any works 1126 connected with it. On the other hand, it is only equitable that those countries which may ultimately profit as the result of any schemes of development that may be executed should be responsible for the expense incurred. Previous surveys were carried out at the expense of the Sudan and I am happy to say that the Egyptian Government were consequently readily prepared on this occasion to assume responsibility for the costs of exploratory work upon a project which, if it materialises, will be equally beneficial to Egypt and to the Sudan.
As regards the last part of the question, the Ethiopian Government, while fully informed of the ability of United Kingdom interests to carry out any works that might be decided upon, resolved in this instance to make their own arrangements with a firm entirely unconnected with any of Ethiopia's limitrophe countries.