§ 87. Mr. LORIMERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now say when the pledge, given in 1915, guaranteeing the Arabs independence and the possession of Palestine will be carried out?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe promise to recognise and support the independence of the Arabs in certain areas is being fulfilled by His Majesty's Government to the best of their ability. The Government do not admit that Palestine was included in these areas, and it was always the intention of the British Gov- 1782 ernment that, in view of the many international and other special interests involved, Palestine should be accorded special treatment.
§ Mr. HARRISConsidering that Palestine is not a Dominion of the British Empire, ought it not to be dealt with by the Foreign Secretary rather than by the Colonial Office?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREPalestine is being administered under a Mandate, and as there exists, temporarily, at any rate, under the Mandate, a British administration, it is in charge of, and the responsibility lies upon, the Colonial Office.
§ Mr. NEWBOLDWhat are the other special interests?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThere are a great many religious susceptibilities and religious feelings in connection with the Holy Land.
§ Mr. NEWBOLDAre there any oil interests?