§ 65. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what attitude His Majesty's Government is adopting in United Nations regarding those Arab refugees who still hope to be returned to their former homes in Palestine; whether this attitude is shared by other member States; and what steps are being taken to implement decisions.
§ Mr. YoungerHis Majesty's Government consider that Palestine refugees wishing to return to their former homes and to live at peace with their neighbours have the right to do so. His Majesty's Government believe, however, that it is in the interests of the refugees themselves that the majority of them should, without prejudice to this right or to their right to receive compensation, settle among their brethren in Arab countries. These views were clearly expressed at the United Nations, and the voting on the resolutions affecting refugees, of which the United Kingdom Delegation were co-sponsors, indicates that they are shared to a considerable extent by other Governments. As regards the implementation of these resolutions, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency is setting up a Re-integration Fund to finance the resettlement projects, and the Palestine Conciliation Commission is establishing an office which will pay special attention to the question of compensation for refugees.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many people who are responsible for trying to help these people in Arab countries are of the opinion that to hold out hope of 31 return to these people is completely unrealistic and merely prolonging the suffering which they are now undergoing? Further, would he not look into the whole of the Government's policy on this matter, with a view to trying finally to settle these people somewhere as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. YoungerI think that the Government's policy does take that fully into account. We consider that the right to return home should be preserved, and we have made it quite clear that, in practice, the sensible thing is to settle them in Arab countries.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIn view of the statements made in recent debates about the need for adequate finance, can the hon. Gentleman say whether adequate finance is forthcoming to back this venture?
§ Mr. YoungerNo, Sir; I cannot say that finance is adequate. It has fallen far short of the calculations of what was thought to be necessary, while the numbers of refugees, on which those calculations were made, have turned out to be higher than expected.
§ Mr. JannerWould my hon. Friend use his good offices to see that some measure of peace is arranged between the Arab States and Israel, because that would be the best way of dealing with the difficulty?
§ Mr. YoungerWe have always made it plain that the only thing that can lead to a solution is a decrease in the tension existing between Israel and the neighbouring States.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, on this matter, the Government are pursuing a policy which is completely impracticable, and that in the circumstances it is merely prolonging the agony of these people, who have already suffered enough?
§ Mr. YoungerWe are pursuing no such policy. Our policy is that these people should be resettled in neighbouring countries, where it is possible to do so. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is inviting us to say that these people have no right to return to their own homes.