§ 35. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Sir Henry MacMahon on 24th October, 1915, wrote to King Hussein, stating that he was empowered in the name of the Government of Great Britain to recognise and support the independence of the Arabs within the territories bounded on the north by Mersina and Adana and on the west by the Red Sea and the Mediterranean up to Mersina; that these boundaries included Palestine; that on that assurance the Arabs took up arms on our behalf against the Turks; and that after the War Lord Curzon in a letter to King Feisal on 9th October, 1919, repeated these pledges; and whether, seeing that these pledges have not up to date been carried out, he will at least see that the Arabs, who form four-fifths of the population of Palestine, are given a fuller share in the Government of Palestine?
§ Dr. SHIELSWith regard to the question of the pledges, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 9th December to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild). The last part of the question raises a matter of general policy which cannot be dealt with by question and answer.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIn view of the prevailing uncertainty, will the Government take an early opportunity of laying down their policy with regard to Palestine.
§ Dr. SHIELSThe policy of the Government in regard to Palestine has been frequently stated, and I see no necessity for any new statement.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the Under-Secretary publish the correspondence between Sir Henry MacMahon and King Hussein as a White Paper?
§ Dr. SHIELSI will consider that point.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWill the Government publish the correspondence in which it was made clear that Palestine was excluded from the mandate?
§ Cotonel HOWARD-BURYrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Ormsby-Gore.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask my hon. Friend—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have called the next question.