HC Deb 16 March 1938 vol 333 cc393-5
18. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received information from Palestine indicating that arrangements are now completed for the municipal loan required by Tel Aviv in order to enable certain urgent work in connection with hospitals and other matters to be carried out?

hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The information is as follows:

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The most urgent works for which the municipal corporation of Tel Aviv desire to raise a loan are a new water supply and drainage system estimated to cost more than £1,000,000. With the assistance of the Palestine Government, negotiations were undertaken for a loan of this amount, but, owing to the disturbed state of the country and the uncertainty of the future, these negotiations have, I regret to say, not been successful, and it has been ascertained that there is now no possibility of Tel Aviv raising a loan in London at the present time. I understand that inquiries are proceeding with regard to the possibility of raising a loan of smaller amount in Palestine for the purpose of meeting the most immediate and pressing needs of the town.

Mr. Williams

In view of the grave possibilities of an outbreak, since there are approximately 135,000 persons there with no drainage system at all, are the Government doing their part in helping the authorities to obtain the requisite loans for health and other purposes?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Certainly, we do all we can. There is a fairly good water supply, but, as the hon. Member knows, particularly in the summer, water-borne sewerage is not essential. The great thing is to remedy as soon as possible the urgent matters and to improve the existing state of affairs.

Mr. Williams

Does the right hon. Gentleman not regard the drainage system, of which there appears to be none, in Tel Aviv as of the most vital importance, in view of the climate?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Oh yes, it is obviously desirable to have water and drainage schemes covering the whole of this municipality, but obviously it is a very big undertaking, as the town has grown so rapidly. There is a series of subordinate local schemes. But I quite agree with the idea.

Mr. McGovern

Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Government to give the money for this purpose?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, Sir.