LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government whether the High Commissioner of Palestine is now empowered to grant concessions to non-Jews as well as to Jews; and, if so, how long he has been so empowered. In view of the statements that have been made that preference has been shown to Jews in the matter of concessions in Palestine perhaps the Government would give a clear statement as to what their policy is.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLANDMy Lords, the High Commissioner for Palestine is not, and never has been, empowered to grant any concessions without reference to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. There is not, and never has been, any restriction on the right of non-Jews to apply for concessions in Palestine, and, in fact, an application from a gentleman who is not a Jew is at present under consideration. Certain other applications for concessions were submitted by non-Jews to the Military Administration which preceded the present Civil Government of Palestine. The applicants were told, as Jewish applicants were also told at the same period, that no concessions were then being granted. No other answer was possible at the time.
In July, 1921, however, it was decided that in the interests of Palestine the full embargo could no longer be maintained; and the High Commissioner was accordingly authorised by His Majesty's Government to entertain applications for concessions for certain public services, excluding oil and mineral rights. A public notice to that effect was issued in Palestine at the time. Applications made or renewed since that date have duly received consideration. I can assure your Lordships that all applications are being, and will be, considered strictly on their merits; but you will not lose sight of the fact that, as experience has shown, public-spirited Jews, who are actuated by sentimental as well as by purely business motives, may be ready to undertake enterprises in Palestine on terms that would hardly commend themselves as purely business propositions to other capitalists.