The disclosure that the British government last year granted permission to D. A. Sunderland to explore for petroleum in Palestine, was made at today’s session of the House of Commons by Major General Sir Alfred Knox, Conservative member. Sir Alfred also disclosed that permission had been granted the Iraq Petroleum Company which had applied for the right to search for valuable fuel oil in the regions of the Transjordan.
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, Colonial Secretary, did not deny Sir Alfred’s statement. He said that consultations are being held with High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope in connection with both questions.
Sir Herbert Samuel, former High Commissioner of the Holy Land and leader of a Liberal faction in the House, also revealed before the Commons that the proposed new penal code for Palestine provides punishment by death for crimes other than murder, and flogging for minor offenses. Cunliffe-Lister replied that the High Commissioner is to be consulted on this question likewise. He assured the House that the code is based on the principles of British law and justice.
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