§ 34. Commander Bowerasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements are now being made to develop the Dead Sea oilfield, in view of the threat to other sources of supply?
§ Mr. George HallNo, Sir. It has not yet been proved that an economic oilfield exists in the Dead Sea area, and the plant and skilled personnel which would be required for the purpose can be better employed elsewhere on fully developed oilfields.
§ Commander BowerDoes not the geographical position of this oilfield offer many advantages? Have not experiments already carried out shown that there is an oilfield in this area, and can the hon. Gentleman give some assurance that the development of this oilfield will not be prevented by interlocking international vested interests?