HC Deb 23 November 1933 vol 283 cc259-61
43. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what specific promise he is acting in proposing to set up responsible or representative government in Palestine; and is he satisfied that divorce from the control of the British Parliament is wanted by all sections of the population?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The right hon. and gallant Member is mistaken in suggesting that any proposal has been made to establish responsible government in Palestine. The intention of His Majesty's Government to set up a Legislative Council in Palestine was expressed in the statement of policy of October, 1930. In conformity with this intention, the High Commissioner informed the Permanent Mandates Commission in November, 1932, that it was proposed to take steps towards the formation of the Council when the new Local Government Ordinance had been brought into working order.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask why the right hon. Gentleman cannot follow in Palestine the policy that he is adopting so successfully in Cyprus; and why he must follow instead the practice of the India Office in scuttling away from our responsibilities to our friends and attempting to placate our enemies?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I do not think that in the course of a supplementary question I have ever heard a more false suggestion put forward. We are not scuttling away from anything.

Our obligations and responsibilities in Palestine will remain exactly as they are to-day, whether the legislative council is established or not.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

What is the object of setting up a legislative council if our responsibilities here remain the same?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In order that various sections of opinion in Palestine may have the opportunity of expressing their views in a representative assembly.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

With or without legislating?

Captain P. MACDONALD

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that no new Constitution is going to be given to Palestine, in view of what is happening in Malta and other places?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Owing to the intervention of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, there is a complete misapprehension of what is intended. For the last 10 years it has been stated that a legislative council would be established in Palestine. I can give the House an absolute and complete assurance that the powers of His Majesty's Government, of this House, and of the High Commissioner to carry out the policy of the Mandate will remain as completely unimpaired after the council has been established as they are to-day.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will this House be consulted before this representative council is set up?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

This House has been repeatedly consulted on the subject.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

rose

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

I think the right hon. and gallant Gentleman had better put down another question.

44. Mr. JANNER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the large immigration of Arabs from Transjordan into Palestine; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps in regard thereto?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The answer to both questions is in the negative.

Mr. JANNER

Has any restriction been placed upon Arabs coming from Transjordan into Palestine irrespective of whether there is employment for Arabs in. Palestine or not?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir; there has never been any restriction on Arabs moving from Transjordan to Palestine, or from Palestine to Transjordan. Any such restriction would, I think, be a complete breach of the Mandate. But I think I ought to add, as the suggestion has been made that there is an enormous amount of migration, that in the latest figures I have available, namely, those of the 1931 census, the estimate is that, between 1922 and 1931, the addition to the population of Palestine due to migration from Syrian country districts and Transjordan did not exceed 4,000.

Captain P. MACDONALD

Can my right hon. Friend give the number of Jews who have migrated to Palestine in the last few months?

Mr. JANNER

Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures showing the number of migrants from Transjordan into Palestine at the present time; and is any account taken of the employment which is available for Palestinian Arabs, in order that these migrants into Palestine may not remain unemployed?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I have no recent figures, nor could any figures be obtained, because there is perfectly free movement between Palestine and Transjordan, and between Transjordan and Palestine—

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Not for Jews.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

—and it would be a plain breach of our duty under the terms of the Mandate to put any pressure upon them.

Mr. JANNER

Does that apply to the migration from Palestine into Transjordan of Jews as well as Arabs?

Mr. THORNE

Is it not the case that, as far as answers to questions show, the brotherhood of man is a long way off?

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