HC Deb 03 December 1928 vol 223 cc813-4
12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the White Paper Cmd. 3229, purporting to deal with recent incidents at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, contains no mention of alleged infringements of the status quo by the Moslem religious authorities; if he intends to issue a further White Paper on this aspect of the matter; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the addition of further masonry courses to the wall itself by the Moslem religious authorities and the other alleged infringements of the status quo?

Mr. AMERY

The White Paper is confined to the incidents which formed the subject of the question put to me when I undertook to lay that Paper before the House. It does not deal with matters in regard to which, as I have already informed the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I am awaiting further reports from Palestine. I am not prepared to anticipate either the nature of those reports or the action which I shall take when I receive them. As I stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on 28th November, I am not satisfied that there has been a violation of the status quo by the Moslem authorities.

Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY

How will the right hon. Gentleman make the further information known? Will he issue a further White Paper?

Mr. AMERY

I will consider in what way.

Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know when he has the information, so that I can put a further question, if necessary?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, Sir.