§ 24. Mr. George Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it was with his approval that an official announcement was issued from the Foreign Office on Friday, 26th September, to the effect that Britain would not concern herself with handing over authority to any racial group in Palestine and that a period of anarchy might follow; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in carrying out its evacuation of Palestine.
§ Mr. BevinMy hon. Friend's Question no doubt refers to an agency message published on 26th September which attributed these opinions to "usually well-informed quarters." No statement or communiqué on this subject has been issued by the Foreign Office. The policy of His Majesty's Government as regards British withdrawal from Palestine is set out in the two speeches made to the Assembly of the United Nations in New York by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 26th September and 16th October respectively.
§ Mr. ThomasWhile thanking the right: hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the "Manchester Guardian" on Saturday, 28th September, issued a statement as coming from the Foreign Office, and this had such wide publicity that it would hardly come under the heading of "a usually well-informed source"?
§ Mr. BevinI have great respect for the "Manchester Guardian" and its editor, but I am not really responsible for it.