§ 34. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the British Palestine Committee, under date 3rd March, 1937, and circulated to Members of Parliament, that the letter dated 13th February, 1931, from the Prime Minister to Dr. Weizmann constituted a treaty, having regard to the circumstances in which it was written; and whether he will lay upon the Table any correspondence or memoranda bearing upon this claim?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have seen the statement referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald's letter to Dr. Weizmann of 13th February, 1931, constitutes a treaty, nor of any correspondence or memoranda relevant to such a claim. As is made clear in the first paragraph of that letter, it was written in order to remove certain misconceptions and misunderstandings which had arisen as to the policy of his Majesty's Government with regard to Palestine as set forth in the White Paper of October, 1930, and was to be read as the authoritative interpretation of that White Paper on the matters with which the letter dealt.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWas the letter given to or by the Government?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIt was given by the Labour Government to Dr. Weizmann. It was not given to Dr. Weizmann, but was a letter written to him by the Government.
§ Mr. ManderDoes that still represent the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreCertainly.