HC Deb 25 November 1936 vol 318 cc407-8
29. Mr. RANKIN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that recent military operations in Palestine were substantially hampered by the absence of adequate road facilities between Jaffa and Haifa; and whether the construction of this road is now to be speeded up?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Authority was given to the High Commissioner on 30th July for the urgent execution of work on the Jaffa-Haifa road recommended for reasons of public security, involving expenditure of about £77,000 in addition to £25,000 for which advance approval had been given earlier in the year.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Can my right hon. Friend say who will pay for the road?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The Palestine Government.

Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

Is not the real reason operations were hampered that they had no mounted troops?