Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the High Commissioner offered to the Arabs in Palestine the suggestion of a Royal Commission before which they could bring their grievances; whether the Jewish agency was informed about this offer and when; with what object was the offer made; and whether the Arabs accepted or rejected that offer?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. There has been no question of making an offer of a Royal Commission. The decision of His Majestys' Government to advise the King to appoint a Royal Commission after order is restored, in order, without bringing into question the terms of the Mandate to investigate causes of unrest and alleged grievances either of Arabs or of Jews, was communicated by the High Commissioner to Arab leaders in Palestine on the 14th May. The Secretary of State for the Colonies communicated the decision to the President of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, at the first opportunity after his arrival in this country, that is on the 18th May, before making his announcement in the House that afternoon. As it was a case not of an offer but of a decision, the last part of the question does not arise.