HC Deb 28 February 1935 vol 298 cc1317-8W
Mr. JANNER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the difficulties which face the trade of Palestine, and particularly the export of citrus fruit, as a consequence of the inadequate facilities provided at Jaffa; that this town has neither port nor storage space; that the stores now being built there will be insufficient to deal with the increased citrus exports which are bound to arise within the next few years; and what action is contemplated to remedy this matter?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The need for the improvement of port facilities at Jaffa was fully appreciated by the Palestine Government, and work was begun over a year ago on an improvement scheme which will greatly increase the capacity and convenience of the port and the amount of storage space. It is hoped that the work will be completed by the middle of January, 1936.

Captain STRICKLAND

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that the loading sheds at the railway stations of Hadera, Rehovot, and Petah Tiqvah were not completed until after the heavy rains which occurred in January, many thousands of boxes of Palestine citrus fruit were spoiled by rain and mud; and whether be can give an assurance that adequate facilities will be provided at the various Palestine stations concerned before next winter?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

This matter was considered last year by a committee which was appointed by the High Commissioner for Palestine for the purpose of investigating traffic requirements. The committee recommended that the Government should construct orange storage sheds at the main centres, charging a storage fee sufficient to reimburse the capital cost and animal charges, and that the larger citrus growers should be encouraged to provide their own sheds and to connect these sheds by private sidings to the railway. Following a recommendation of the committee, approval was given for increasing by 50 per cent. the size of the sheds which had already been built or were to be built at Petah Tiqvah, Rehovot and Hadera, and for the construction of sheds at Jaffa and Tel-Aviv. I have no recent reports on this matter, but I am sure that the Palestine Government will endeavour to provide accommodation to the extent recommended by the committee at the earliest possible date.