LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government whether the northern boundary of Palestine has been finally fixed: and, if so upon what principle this boundary was drawn. The proposed northern boundary, I understand, has been drawn in such a manner that a considerable number of persons will find themselves in the position of having their places of residence in French Syria and their lands in Palestine. It is widely believed that the boundary 'has been so drawn in order to enable the Zionists to possess themselves of these lands, which are very valuable. The people to whom I refer will be, and in some cases now are placed under an additional disadvantage by the regulation which compels all persons crossing the frontier to be in possession of a permit with a French and British visa. Not only does the necessity for obtaining these visas put them, as well as hundreds of others, to great inconvenience and expense, but places it within the power of the Palestine Government to deny them access to their own lands.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLANDLords, the northern boundary of Palestine was laid down in the Anglo-French Convention of December 23, 1920. Under Article 2 of that Convention Boundary Commissions were set up in order to demarcate on the spot the boundary between the mandated territories of Syria and Palestine. In the course of their proceedings the Commissioners found it necessary to recommend certain minor rectifications of the frontier in the interests of the two territories. These recommendations are now under consideration by the French Government and His Majesty's Government. I ant sure, therefore, that your Lordships will agree that it would be undesirable to enter into fuller detail at this stage. The question of passes and visas for crossing the frontier will, no doubt, be taken into consideration at the same time. It. always open to the noble Lord to put down a Question at a later stage, after these matters have been settled with the French.
LORD RAGLANCan the noble Duke give an undertaking that in these negotiations the wishes and interests of the inhabitants will be considered?