HC Deb 19 May 1947 vol 437 c1981
2. Major Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any indication from His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington as to the attitude of the U.S. Government towards the activities of the American League for a Free Palestine.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is still awaiting a reply from the State Department to the repeated representations which His Majesty's Embassy in Washington have made to them on this subject.

Major Bruce

Is my hon. Friend aware that the particular organisation which is referred to in the Question has pledged itself to raise £250,000 before 4th July in order to reinforce underground resistance against British law in Palestine?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir, we are aware of the activities and we are following them closely. We are making our views very plain to the State Department.

Mr. Driberg

Can my hon. Friend say whether this League is technically a charity and, therefore, subject to certain tax remissions, and, if so, does it not follow that the U.S. Treasury is indirectly subsidising the assassination of British soldiers in Palestine? Will he look at that aspect of the question?

Mr. Mayhew

We are aware of certain considerations of that kind which we are putting to the State Department, but I cannot accept all the implications in the supplementary question.