§ 32. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the Jordan Valley Project referred to in the Report of the Anglo-American Committee on Palestine; and whether British technical experts have expressed their opinion on its feasibility, especially with reference to its potentialities for making new land available to settlers.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreOn a point of Order, Sir. Is it in Order for an hon. Member to ask his Question seated? The hon. Member has not risen in his place for the last two Questions.
§ Mr. Stokes[having risen]: Question No. 32, Sir.
§ Mr. George HallI understand that this project envisages the irrigation of the plain land of Palestine with the waters of the Jordan and the generation of hydroelectric power, partly by means of a canal taking water from the Mediterranean to the lower part of the Jordan Valley. As regards expert examination of such schemes, I would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement which will be made by my right hon. Friend the Lord President in opening the Debate this afternoon.
§ Mr. StokesYes, Sir, I know, and that is the whole point. May I ask whether the report of the experts who advised this scheme has yet been made available to hon. Members of this House?
§ Mr. HallI do not know that any experts, with the exception of Dr. Lowdermilk, have examined the scheme. The hon. Member will see the scheme described in the book.
§ Mr. StokesYes, I know, and that again is the whole point. Only Dr. Lowdermilk has reported, but is it not the fact that experts who have examined the scheme do not agree with his findings?
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanIs it not the case that it is not only Dr. Lowdermilk who has examined this project and reported in favour of it, but one very notable American economic expert?
§ Mr. StokesIt is absolute boloney.