§ 16. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether and, if so, how the Palestine Local Government Bill safeguards minority rights; and whether, in view of the Indian democratic difficulties, he will see that the Jewish and Arab inhabitants of Palestine are not offered a self-governing constitution before they both want it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn its present form the draft Palestine Local Government Ordinance contains no special provisions for safeguarding minority rights, and it is not clear to me that any such provisions will be required. It would, however, be premature to discuss the details of the draft Ordinance, which is liable to be amended in the light of the comments of local authorities. As regards the latter part of the question, I cannot do better than refer to the statement which was made by the High Commissioner for Palestine, with the approval of His Majesty's Government, before the Permanent Mandates Commission on the 10th of November. I am sending a copy of it to the right hon. Member, as it is too long to quote, but I will have it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs not His Majesty's Government rather asking for trouble by giving a constitution to a country before it asks for it.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir.
§ Mr. JANNERWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether, before any step is taken in the direction suggested, the matter will be brought before the House?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir, I cannot give an undertaking of that kind. It is obvious that in the administration of any mandated territory or country the proper place for discussing 1116 such a matter is on the Colonial Office Vote. I think the statement which was made to the House on this subject was perfectly clear and entirely in line with the policy of the late Government and its predecessor.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Jewish minority in Palestine on this question have the same rights and privileges as the Mohammedan minority has in India?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think all these questions are rather premature. When the constitution of any legislative council is under consideration the fullest care will be taken in its preparation, and there will be consultation with all the interests concerned. I can certainly assure my right hon. Friend that, as the High Commissioner made perfectly plain in his statements to the Mandates Commission, one essential of anything that is done is that the terms of the mandate shall be meticulously observed.
§ Following is the statement:
§ "HIGH COMMIESSIONER'S STATEMENT AT GENEVA ON THE 10TH NOVEMBER, 1932.
§ The intention of the Government as regards the establishment of a Legislative Council remains unchanged, and we shall take steps towards the formation of a Legislative Council when the new Local Government Ordinance which is now in preparation has been brought into working order. The draft of the Local Government Ordinance has been communicated to representatives of various municipalities and we are awaiting their observations. I hope that it will be possible early in 1933 to enact this legislation, the object of which is to extend and facilitate the participation of local representatives in municipal government. I am hopeful that moderate opinion will prevail, and that when proposals for a Legislative Council are put forward, they will he accepted by the leaders of both parties. These proposals will necessarily contain definite safeguards, so that under no circumstances could the peace and security of the country he endangered, or the carrying out of the Mandate hampered.
§ We would gladly govern Palestine in accordance with the wishes of the two races; and when these wishes conflict, I use every means to reconcile them. If these efforts prove of no avail, then Government must, regardless of criticism, carry out whatever policy it considers best in the interests of the people as a whole and in accordance with the Mandate."