§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware that in the draft Palestine Irrigation (Surface Water) Ordinance, 1942, it is proposed to empower the Water Commissioners and other officials of the Government of Palestine 2170W to determine water right, fix compensation where such rights are terminated, limit the quantities of water to be used by landholders, compel water users to make capital expenditure on water works, drainage channels, &c., expropriate land and water rights, and settle disputes between two or more holders of water titles; that the only recourse for persons aggrieved is by appeal to the High Commissioner or some other Government official; and will he cause the Ordinance to be so amended that any person aggrieved shall have the right of appeal to a court of law;
(2) why no provision has been made in the draft Palestine Irrigation (Surface Water) Ordinance, 1942, to deal with existing water companies and co-operatives and with the formation of new undertakings of a similar character; to secure the use of water for industrial purposes; and whether he will consider so amending the draft Ordinance as to remedy these defects and safeguard the right of industrial undertakings to the use of water for their works?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanI am aware of the provisions in the draft Palestine Irrigation (Surface Water) Ordinance, 1942, to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that the Jewish Agency have submitted a memorandum to the chief secretary to the Palestine Government on the subject of this Ordinance, which contains representations similar to those put forward by my hon. Friend. These are doubtless engaging the attention of the authorities in Jerusalem. My Noble Friend will ask the High Commissioner for his views on the proposed amendments.
§ Mr. Adamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in the draft Palestine Irrigation (Underground Water) Ordinance, 1942, the Water Commissioner is empowered to grant licences to dig new wells only where he is satisfied that a new well will not cause any appreciable diminution of the discharge from any existing well within the area; and whether he will consider amending the Draft Ordinance so as to permit the digging of a new well where it would not raise more water than is proportionate to the units of land held in the area by the owner or occupier of the new well and the amount of water raised by the existing well does 2171W not, as a consequence, fall below the amount proportionate to the units of land in the area held by the owner or occupier of the existing well?
§ Mr. MacmillanA proposal for the amendment of the draft Palestine Irrigation (Underground Water) Ordinance, 1942, on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend has already been submitted by the Jewish Agency for Palestine to the chief secretary to the Palestine Government, and is no doubt receiving careful consideration by the authorities in Jerusalem. My Noble Friend will ask the High Commissioner for his views on the proposal.