HC Deb 27 February 1939 vol 344 cc910-2
Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice): asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the Palestine Conferences?

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

The British delegation in the Palestine Conferences have laid before the Arab and Jewish delegations separately a series of suggestions for a solution of the Palestine problem. These are still the subject of discussion in both Conferences, and at the present stage I am not in a position to make any public announcement regarding them. Unfortunately, incomplete and, in some important respects, misleading Press reports, purporting to give the substance of these suggestions, have been published and gone to Palestine, where they have been the cause of serious incidents. I would appeal to the House and to the wider public here and in Palestine to with hold judgment on the lines of the solution now being considered by the Conferences until an authoritative statement regarding them can be made. This will be done at the appropriate time, when the negotiations which are proceeding both with the Arab delegations and with the Jewish delegation have advanced further.

Mr. Attlee

Can the right hon. Gentle man assure this House that in the proposals which are being put before the Conferences, the Government have not departed from the principles of the Man date for a Jewish National Home?

Mr. MacDonald

I think it would be a mistake on my part to make any statement with regard to the discussions, which are still fluid, and still proceeding, at these Conferences. I hope that no deductions will be drawn, either one way or the other, from my refusal to make a statement.

Mr. Attlee

We are most anxious to avoid in any way disturbing the Conference, and I put it to the right hon. Gentleman whether some statement is not desirable, seeing that so much has apparently leaked out which is causing misleading ideas in very many circles.

Mr. MacDonald

I fully appreciate that the right hon. Gentleman and his friends are extremely anxious not to say anything which would embarrass the various delegations to the Conference. I am certain that the whole House shares that desire. The incidents which have taken place in Palestine, obviously, made us consider whether some statement is not required. I hope very much that the statement I have made may have a good effect on the situation, but we shall keep in mind the possibility or the necessity of making, perhaps, some further statement as the situation develops.

Mr. T. Williams

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that before any very serious departures from our general undertakings are made the House will be given an opportunity of debating this very important question?

Mr. MacDonald

Of course, the policy in Palestine cannot be changed until it has the approval of this House.

Mr. Williams

Are we to take it from that reply that no decision which involves very serious departure from our general and honourable undertakings will take place before the passage of any legislation?

Mr. MacDonald

In this matter we are following the precedents of other inter national discussions, and we shall not depart from those precedents.