HC Deb 03 February 1937 vol 319 c1586
26. Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that law and order have been restored in Palestine; and whether our armed forces there are considered sufficient to prevent any further outbreak of violence?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As regards the first part of the question, I would invite the attention of the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 19th January to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), to which I have nothing to add. As regards the second part of the question, it is never possible for armed forces to be sure of preventing an outbreak of violence from taking place. The arrangements which have been made are, in the opinion of the High Commissioner for Palestine and of the competent military authorities, such as to enable disorder to be effectively dealt with should it again occur.

Colonel Wedgwood

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if the policy of saying "Please" to the Mufti and sacrificing our friends has failed, he will give to General Dill and the military the opportunity to restore peace and preserve order in that country in a manner more in consonance with British traditions and British interests?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I think that question should be put on the Paper. I cannot answer a complicated question of that kind.