§ 32. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed at any stage to set up a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament to consider plans for the future of Palestine?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am unable at present to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 21st October.
§ Mr. ManderDo I understand that it is not necessarily ruled out at some future stage?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat must be seen at a very much later stage.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea as to when he contemplates sending the Boundary Commission to Palestine?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNot at present.
§ 35. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will circulate the names and offices of the 137 officials of the Palestine judiciary and Department of Justice and other Departments of the Palestine Government who, on 30th June, 1936, sent a memorandum to the Palestine Government condemning its policy; and, in view of the opinion expressed by the chairman of the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations, he will say what action he has taken in the case of each officer concerned?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI see no advantage in taking action on the lines suggested in the first part of the question, and I am not prepared to do so. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to what I have already stated in my reply to the hon. Member for East Wolver hampton (Mr. Mander) on 18th November.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAre we to understand that no action is being taken or is contemplated in connection with the disloyal action of these members of the Civil Service, and may I ask whether the new High Commissioner who is going out has any instructions to eliminate from the Civil Service disloyal members and to make the rest of the Civil Service obey orders?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI do not feel it would be proper for me to answer that very improper question—
§ Colonel Wedgwoodrose—
§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore—and may I protest?
§ Colonel WedgwoodOn a point of Order. I want to know from you, Sir, whether it is proper for a Minister on that bench to insult a Member who asks a question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI think the fault lies with me for allowing the supplementary question.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has had any information since June or July, 1936, as to whether or not any of these 137 civil servants have committed actions of disloyalty?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Palestine Civil Service is working in very difficult conditions, and is most loyally carrying out the policy of the Government.
§ Colonel WedgwoodOn a point of Order. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. GallacherCannot you feed the animals and keep them quiet?
§ Colonel WedgwoodOn a point of Order. I should like to call attention on the earliest possible opportunity to the conduct of the right hon. Gentleman opposite.