§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea to the Palestine Potash Company, Limited, was granted under circumstances which effected an injustice to W. Makael Edwards, the owner of the Turkish concession; and whether the concession obtained by Mr. Edwards was recognised by the Palestine Government?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the Palestine Government did not recognise any concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea prior to the grant of such a concession to Palestine Potash Limited.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, at a meeting of the Permanent Mandates Commission for Palestine, Session 15, 1929, the then High Commissioner, Sir John Chancellor, declared that all particulars with regard to the concession for the extraction of salts from the Dead Sea had been elicited in this House; and whether he can give the date upon which information was obtained as to the existence of the agreement which had the effect of nullifying the concession within three years?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe statement of Sir John Chancellor, then High Commissioner for Palestine, referred only to the concession granted to Palestine Potash Limited and not to any further agreement. In view of the hon. Member's previous questions I assume that the second part of the question refers to the Indemnity Agreement signed on the 1st January, 1930, though it is incorrect to describe this as nullifying the concession. This agreement was not published.