§ 25. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the name of the Palestine public prosecutor; and, in view of the fact that this is the post which the Royal Commission recommended on page 167 should be held by an Englishman, why no change has been made?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)There is no officer with the title of public prosecutor in Pales tine. The Attorney-General in Palestine is responsible for public prosecutions, and his office is being strengthened by the appointment of two British Crown counsel. The Palestine Government have, in fact, gone beyond the recommendation of the 372 Royal Commission who suggested the addition of one British senior Government advocate only.
§ Colonel WedgwoodMay I ask what is the title of the office now held by Alauni Bey, brother-in-law of Jemal Husseini, who used to be called public prosecutor?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI understand that he is still a member of the legal department. At present he is absent on leave, and it is not possible to say on what work in the department he will be employed when he returns to duty. I should like to add that I can find no reason to suppose that he is not a loyal servant of the Department.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he had the title of public prosecutor and that was the position which was criticised by the Royal Commission under the name of Government Advocate. Is he in future to have any official position in the Palestine Government?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes. As I have said he is a member of the legal department, but I understand he has never been public prosecutor. He was in the Attorney-General's office, and, as I have stated, two British Crown counsel have been added to the Attorney-General's office to perform functions which in this country are performed by the Public Prosecutor.