§ 45. Major ELLIOTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government maintains the view that the major questions of policy effecting the future administration of the Palestine mandate are out- 28 side the terms of reference of the Shaw Commission and cannot be affected by its Report?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)"Major questions" of policy are for the Government to determine. It was announced in September last that, when the Report of the Shaw Commission had been received, the Government would consider along what lines within the terms of the Mandate future policy in Palestine should be directed. That question they will consider; but I am certainly not prepared to say that their conclusions will not be "affected" by the Report of the Commission.
§ Major ELLIOTWill the right hon. Gentleman say that they will not be affected to the extent of deflecting in any way from the terms of the mandate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly. I only guarded myself, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question is a very wide one.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEAre we to take it that the Government definitely do not intend to set up a Royal Commission in connection with the future of Palestine, but intend to come to a decision themselves on the subject after the Report is received?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the House would just await the consideration, that is one of the points which we shall have to pass in review when we have finished the study of the Report.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEThe answer does not definitely ocean that that is excluded?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo.