HC Deb 13 April 1938 vol 334 cc1111-3
37. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the recent Royal Commission on Palestine recommended that the need of Tel Aviv for a substantial loan should be promptly and sympathetically reconsidered, he can state why it has been necessary to impose further delay on this matter?

38. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the average per capita municipal indebtedness of the city of Tel Aviv is approximately only 3os. as compared with over £30 in the case of many English towns; and whether, in these circumstances, he can give approval for the raising of a loan by Tel Aviv to carry out important public work?

42. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that three years have now elapsed since the Government gave its consent in principle to a loan of £1,000,000 being granted to Tel Aviv in order to enable that city to carry out urgent schemes of sewerage, water supply, construction of hospitals and school buildings; and whether, in view of the urgent necessity for this work now being proceeded with, steps can now be taken to make the necessary arrangements?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have nothing to add to the full reply which I gave on 16th March to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

Mr. Mender

How soon will it be possible to make a statement?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have said that inquiries are now proceeding in regard to the possibility of raising a loan for a smaller amount in order to meet the most immediate and pressing needs.

Mr. T. Williams

Seeing that this loan has been required for such a long time, and that there is grave danger of an epidemic at any moment in Tel Aviv, in the absence of any sewerage or drainage scheme, when will permission be granted for this loan?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

It is not merely a case of permission being granted. Permission would gladly be granted if the loan could be raised.

Mr. Williams

Is it not the case that a large insurance company in this country expressed willingness to take up this proposal?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I answered that question some time ago, and I said then that negotiations had broken down.

39. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, owing to the operations of private meat combines, the price of cattle for slaughter imported from Balkan countries is, approximately, three times higher in Tel Aviv than in Egypt; and why, in these circumstances, consent has been withheld by the Government for all remedies which the municipality of Tel Aviv has sought to introduce with a view to protecting the population of that town against profiteering?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, Sir; I have no information regarding the matters referred to in this question and I have received no report from the High Commissioner on the subject. The matter is clearly one for consideration by the authorities in Palestine.

Mr. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to ascertain whether or not the administration have prevented the council of Tel Aviv from safeguarding themselves?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will give me any information he may have at his disposal. If he does, I will make inquiries.

40. Captain Strickland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that of the projected Palestine loan of £2,000,000, some £440,000 has already been expended in anticipation mainly on works in Haifa, Jerusalem and Hebron; and for what reason no expenditure in connection therewith has been provided in the case of Tel Aviv?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I am aware that a considerable sum has already been expended out of the surplus balances of Palestine in anticipation of the issue of a projected loan of £2,000,000. No provision for works in Tel Aviv was included in the schedule of the contemplated £2,000,000 loan, the reason being that other services of greater urgency had to take precedence.

Captain Strickland

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that a large municipality like Tel Aviv demands more careful attention than smaller municipalities, particularly in regard to sewerage?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The hon. and gallant Gentleman asked me about the £2,000,000 loan which was arranged before the request came for the raising of the loan for Tel Aviv sewerage. I have already said that matter is being considered.

Captain Strickland

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the need of immediate measures; and if the projected large loan cannot be negotiated, could not steps be taken to allocate part of that 2,000,000 for this purpose?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, because the £2,000,000, as I have said cannot be raised. The separate loan for Tel Aviv sewerage and drainage is now under consideration.