§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds 861W and by what authority Aouni Bey Abdul Hadi, a leading advocate in Jerusalem and belonging to one of the best known families in Palestine, was refused a visa to proceed to London by the British Consul in Paris after he had left Geneva, where he had been in attendance as a delegate, to go to London; whether he is aware that Aouni Bey is at present in Paris, desiring but unable to proceed on his journey; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?
§ Mr. EdenThe visa was refused at the direction of His Majesty's Government. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. His Majesty's Government do not feel justified in granting visa facilities to Aouni Bey Abdul Hadi, who was a member of the Arab Higher Committee. For the reasons stated in the official communique issued by the Government of Palestine on 1st October, this body has been declared illegal, and those of its members who have been found in Palestine have been arrested and deported.