24. Mr. Philips Priceasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the unstable political condition of Syria, he will take steps to encourage the construction of oil pipelines alternative to the ones now destroyed from Iraq through Turkish territory to Iskanderan.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesThe Iraq Petroleum Company has already carried out a reconnaissance of a possible pipeline route from the oilfields of Northern Iraq through Turkish territory to the Mediterranean seaboard. I understand that the results of this reconnaissance are favourable to the construction of such a pipeline. My Ministry is in close touch with the company, which is fully aware of the potential importance of this matter.