HC Deb 10 November 1938 vol 341 cc302-5
Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make regarding the arrangements for the proposed discussions in London on the Palestine question?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

Yes, Sir. As was announced in the statement which His Majesty's Government published yesterday, it is proposed to invite representatives of the Palestinian Arabs and of neighbouring States on the one hand and of the Jewish Agency on the other. With regard to neighbouring States, we are in communication on the matter with the Governments of Egypt, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia and the Yemen, as well as of Trans-jordan. Other territories which, by reason of their contiguity, are interested in the Palestine question are Syria and the Lebanon. They are under French mandatory control, and consequently stand on a different footing. It is not proposed that representatives of these territories should be invited to the discussions, but His Majesty's Government intend to keep closely in touch with the French Government and to keep them informed of any developments which may be of interest to Syria and the Lebanon.

With regard to the representation of the Palestinian Arabs, I am in consultation with the High Commissioner, and I am not at present in a position to indicate what arrangements will be made. The House will have observed that the Government reserve the right to refuse to receive leaders whom they regard as responsible for the campaign of assassination and violence. His Majesty's Government must exercise this right in the case of the present Mufti of Jerusalem, whose record over many years makes him wholly unacceptable. With regard to others I can add nothing further at present. The matter must depend on developments in Palestine.

His Majesty's Government made it clear in the statement which they issued yesterday that they will continue their responsibility for the government of the whole of Palestine. Their ultimate aim is to give lasting peace and prosperity to the people of the country; their immediate duty is to establish law and order throughout the land. They earnestly hope that they will secure the co-operation of the peoples of Palestine, Jews and Arabs alike, in promoting the state of peace which is so important for the success of the policy of negotiation which has been announced. The Arabs of Palestine are now offered an opportunity of coming to London in company with representatives of neighbouring countries to enter into free and full discussions on the problem of Palestine with His Majesty's Government. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government will expect that rebellious activities should be brought to an end. If they do not cease His Majesty's Government must continue to take all such measures as may be necessary to put an end to disorder.

Mr. Attlee

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in considering the representation of the Palestinian Arabs, he will bear in mind the need for representing the working Arabs and the poorer sections, and not merely the wealthy landlords; and whether he will also bear in mind the same position in regard to seeing that Jewish labour is fully represented in this conference?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir.

Sir P. Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the basis of the conference will be? Will it be merely an informal discussion of the situation, or will matters be put to a vote? In the latter case, will not the Jews be out-voted by a large number of Arab representatives?

Mr. MacDonald

There is no question of a vote at all. The discussions are to be between representatives of the Arabs and of the neighbouring countries, and His Majesty's Government, and between representatives of the Jewish Agency and His Majesty's Government. Possibly the discussions will develop into a three-party discussion around the same table, but in any case there is no question of a vote being taken.

Mr. Amery

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to both parties to the conference that His Majesty's Government have not departed from the principle of the Balfour Declaration?

Mr. MacDonald

The Government will, of course, enter the discussions bound by its obligations both to Jews and Arabs under the Mandate, but we would not seek to prevent either party from presenting arguments for the modification of the Mandate.

Mr. T. Williams

Since representatives of the Arab Kingdoms are to be invited to these discussions, has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of inviting representatives of, say, the United States Government or the Polish Government, apart from the Palestinian representatives concerned in this problem? Secondly, are we to understand that the basis of the discussions will be the terms of the Balfour Declaration, or that alternative proposals can and will be discussed in London?

Mr. MacDonald

I think I have already answered the latter part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. In regard to the first part of the question, the reason why we are calling these discussions is that we want to make a determined effort at getting agreement between the two peoples concerned—the Arabs and the Jews. In the statement published yesterday we recognised specifically that other countries, other governments, are concerned and interested, and we shall keep fully in mind the interests of all those countries.

Mr. T. Williams

In view of the fact that representatives are being invited from the Arab kingdoms, to which nobody has any objection, is it not possible to invite representatives from the United States Government or the Polish Government, who are also interested?

Mr. MacDonald

If we started on that, it would be very difficult to know where to draw the line. As far as the Jews are concerned, there are a great many American Jews represented in the Jewish Agency, and it is perfectly open to the Jewish Agency to select what Jewish representatives they wish.

Sir Arnold Wilson

In view of the fact that representatives of the Arab Kingdoms are being invited, will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of inviting representatives of the Assyrian nation to be present on this occasion?

Mr. MacDonald

I do not think it would be feasible to add further to the representation that we have in mind.

Colonel Nathan

While I recognise the reasons underlying the invitation to representatives of the States contiguous to Palestine, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, while their interests may be political or economic, the United States have a contractual and Treaty interest in this matter by reason of their Treaty arrangements with the British Government? Would not that give ground where the United States might well expect to be invited to participate in such discussions?

Mr. MacDonald

We are certainly very conscious of the great interest of the United States in this matter. We have already kept the United States fully informed of our intention, and shall keep them fully informed of developments.

Colonel Nathan

Might not this position arise? Having regard to the specific Treat rights of the United States in this particular matter, might not arrangements be made round the table by those participating in the conference, and it would yet be open to the United States to say that they dissented from those conclusions, with the result that the conference would be nullified?

Mr. MacDonald

We shall, of course, watch that situation very carefully and if there is any question of the Treaty rights of the United States being involved, we shall enter into discussion with the United States Government immediately. We are not anticipating that that will happen.