HC Deb 21 July 1966 vol 732 cc124-5W
57. Mr. Lubbock

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the circumstances in which British contractors lost a contract for a £20 million pipeline in Syria to the Italians, what assistance was given by his Department to the contractors; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mason

I understand that negotiations for this contract have been terminated because of failure of the parties to agree on the scope of the work to be done and the price, and that the Syrian authorities have now awarded a contract to an Italian group at a lower price. The Board of Trade and H.M. Ambassador in Damascus gave all the help they could to the British Consortium.

Sir C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the £20 million Syrian pipeline contract has been lost by a British consortium after months of negotiation and taken over by an Italian group for £3½ million less after only 10 days' consideration; what assistance his department gave to the British consortium; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jay

I understand that negotiations for this contract have been terminated because of failure of the parties to agree on the scope of the work to be done and the price, and that the Syrian authorities have now awarded a contract to an Italian group at a lower price. My Department and H.M. Ambassador in Damascus gave all the help they could to the British Consortium.