10 and 11. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) the reasons why the mining laws of 1131 Palestine and Transjordan have been caused to cease to function;
(2) whether he is aware that, when the mining laws of Palestine and Transjordan were recently suspended, a British group who were prepared immediately to develop the Dead Sea oilfield in the furtherance of the interests of Palestine and Transjordan and as a means of providing a British-controlled and British-protected oilfield vitally necessary to our defence services, were unable to commence operations; and whether, when mining laws are once more in force, this group will be given an opportunity of making further proposals?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)It recently became apparent that some revision of the mining legislation in Palestine and Transjordan will be required in the interests of a proper search for oil and the development of any oil resources that may be found in these territories, and it has therefore been decided that no further exploration permits shall be granted until this revision has taken place. At the time when this decision was reached, several applications for permits had been received. When the necessary amendments of the legislation have been enacted, further consideration will be given to these applications. The revision of the legislation is at present proceeding.
Duchess of ATHOLLHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea when the law will be revised, and when that takes place will he bear in mind that oilfields should be developed in the national interest and as much as possible by British efforts?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI cannot say when the legislation will be completed. While there should be no unnecessary delay, it is important that it should be in the best possible form. I can assure the Noble Lady that one of the matters in which I thought the legislation was slightly defective was in securing that when a lease is granted you should get adequate advantages from the owner.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is very improbable that there is an oilfield there?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAll I can say is that as far as scientific exploration has gone the figures up to date are not frightfully optimistic.