§ 79. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the character of Zionist propaganda among Jews in this country and abroad; and what are the intentions of the Government as to passing Palestine over to the Jews for the purpose of establishing a free and independent Jewish nation?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I am aware of the propaganda of the Zionist 1964 and new Zionist organisations, which should be distinguished, but I cannot accept the interpretation put upon it by the hon. Member in the second part of his question. I should perhaps make it clear that His Majesty's Government have no intention of taking or countenancing any action inconsistent with the terms of the mandate or with their responsibility of safeguarding the rights of all the inhabitants irrespective of race and religion.
§ Mr. GALLACHERDoes the mandate not make it clear that the territory belongs to the Arabs, and that ultimately a legislative assembly will be set up and within it the Jews that are there will have the right to representation?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe mandate certainly does not make that clear. His Majesty accepted a mandate for Palestine and there was no declaration that it belonged either to the Arabs or the Jews. It is now British mandated territory.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the mandate not an instruction to a particular nation to care for a particular people within a particular territory?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIf the hon. Member will read the mandate, which is very carefully drafted, he will see that it does throw upon us the responsibility of governing that country and of meting out justice to all sections of the community irrespective of race or religion.