HC Deb 22 November 1948 vol 458 c851
20. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response he has had from other Governments to his offers that the British Government would advance £1 million for the relief of Palestinian Arabs if other Governments subscribed proportional sums.

Mr. Mayhew

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted on 19th November a resolution urging all Governments to contribute funds and supplies for the relief of Arab refugees. Before the adoption of this resolution the French Government announced that they would contribute in cash or in kind a sum of 500 million francs. So far as I am aware, no other specific commitments have been made. His Majesty's Government hope that all Governments will now announce their contributions at an early date.

Mr. Reid

Will my hon. Friend instruct our representatives at U.N.O. to urge all those Governments who voted for partition, which has caused all this misery, to subscribe?

Mr. Mayhew

We have taken the lead in urging all Governments to subscribe as much as they can to this appeal.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Will the hon. Gentleman do everything possible to bring relief to distressed Arabs in Palestine?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir; I gave an account in a recent Adjournment Debate of what His Majesty's Government have done.