HC Deb 09 February 1938 vol 331 cc1034-5
67. Captain Cazalet

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in order to allay anxiety in this country and in Palestine as a result of the publication of the White Paper of 5th January, he will give the House an assurance that His Majesty's Government fully adheres to the policy of partition declared last July in the White Paper and confirmed in September at Geneva?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

His Majesty's Government stated last July that they had reached the conclusion that a scheme on the general lines recommended by the Palestine Royal Commission represented the best and most hopeful solution of the deadlock in that country. To this policy they still adhere and a new Technical Commission is now to be appointed to work out a definite scheme as required by the Resolution of this House passed on 21st July.

Captain Cazalet

Is it not a fact that unless and until partition comes into operation, the terms of the mandate hold the field?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Certainly until the mandate is amended by the Council of the League, it cannot be altered by the act of His Majesty's Government.

Sir Percy Harris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the longer delay foreshadowed by the report is causing consternation among great numbers of people?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No one regrets the delay more than I do, but there, again, we have to pay attention to the view so clearly expressed at Geneva that before there can be any termination of mandatory conditions, certain provisions that were laid down by the Council in 1931 have to be fulfilled, and the Mandates Commission recommended that an adequate interval should be interposed between the existing mandate and any future arrangement to which the Council of the League agree.

Mr. Mander

Would it be true to say that the Government are anxious to get on as rapidly as possible with the policy of partition, having regard to all the circumstances of the case?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Certainly.

Mr. Stephen

Will the right hon. Gentleman not consider allowing unrestricted immigration during this period of delay?