HC Deb 12 February 1931 vol 248 cc599-600
Mr. HOPKIN

(by Private Notice) asked the Primo Minister whether he can state what is the decision of the Government regarding the relation of the letter which he is sending to Dr. Weizmann to the White Paper on Palestine Policy, of October, 1930?

The PRIME MINISTER

In the body of the letter it will be made clear that it is to be read as the authoritative interpretation of the White Paper on the matters with which the letter deals. There will be no doubt as to the official character of the letter. It will be communicated as an official document to the League of Nations and embodied in a dispatch as an instruction to the High Commissioner.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, seeing that Dr. Weizmann is completely satisfied, whether there has been a complete change of policy with regard to the White Paper?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, my hon. and gallant Friend may accept that assurance.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

There has been a complete change?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am sorry if I misheard the hon. and gallant Member. There has been no change of policy.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has been done to remove Dr. Weizmann's objection seeing that he objected to the original White Paper?

The PRIME MINISTER

As I stated during the Debate which followed the issue of the White Paper, there was a great deal of misunderstanding of the effect, and the letter is to remove misunderstanding, but not to make a change of policy.