HC Deb 19 July 1938 vol 338 cc1994-5
67. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sums of money have been paid by the Italian Government during the past 18 months for the construction or repair of roads in British Somaliland in pursuance of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 27th January, 1937, on transit traffic in that territory?

Mr. M. MacDonald

According to the latest report from the Governor, sums amounting to £7,375 have been received by the Somaliland Government from the Italian authorities in Ethiopia in respect of road works in the Protectorate.

68. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what date the improvements carried out, in pursuance of the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 27th January, 1937, concerning transit traffic in British Somaliland, by which the ports of Berbera and Zeila have been so improved as to be capable of handling each day, approximately, 250 tons of merchandise, respectively, were completed; and what sums have been paid in respect of these improvements by the Italian Government?

Mr. MacDonald

No works have been carried out at Zeila. The traffic has all been through Berbera, but the improvements contemplated in paragraph 4 of the letters exchanged in Rome on 27th January, 1937, have not yet been carried out. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the present capacity of the port of Berbera?

Mr. MacDonald

I could not give that information without notice.