§ 8. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proposal for the partition of Palestine has yet been discussed with the Government of the neighbouring Arab States; and, if so, what opinion they have expressed?
§ Viscount CranborneAs was explained in the reply given to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 17th November, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are responsible, as Mandatory for Palestine, to the League of Nations and not to particular foreign Governments. The Governments of the neighbouring Arab States have, however, like other Governments having a special interest in the question, been kept fully informed. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East, on 10th November.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that these objections have been made by neighbouring Arab states; and will it not place the Jews in an impossible position, if you carry out partition and leave them in a small tract of land surrounded by hostile people?
§ Viscount CranborneI have already explained that this is not a matter between His Majesty's Government and individual states, but between His Majesty's Government and the League of Nations.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not possible for the Government to deal with this question in the way outlined in the Mandate, instead of in this manner which will not be helpful to either Jew or Arab?
§ Mr. de ChairAre we to understand that all hope of administering the existing Mandate has been abandoned in favour of this plan?