asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the Iraq Petroleum Company in Palestine and their employés; that the company have refused to raise the minimum wage of a labourer from 2s. 4d. per day to 3s., and have insisted upon imposing a reduction upon all those earning more than 9s. per day; and whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living in Palestine and of the undertaking given by the company to observe fair wages and conditions of labour, he will take some steps in the matter?

I am aware that a dispute has arisen between the Iraq Petroleum Company and certain of their employés in Palestine, but I have not received detailed information. I am sure that the High Commissioner can be relied on to intervene if he is not satisfied that the company are carrying out their assurance as to the observance of fair conditions of labour, but I will ask him to furnish me with a report on the subject.

When the right hon. Gentleman receives the report and finds that the facts are as stated in the question, will he take action to see that this company give a fair deal to their employés?

I think that we had better wait and see what the facts are in the report.