HC Deb 08 July 1943 vol 390 c2280W
Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Mandate and Principal Order in Council for Palestine prescribe Hebrew as one of the official languages; why, to the city of Jerusalem with its Hebrew population exceeding 100,000 and other cities and towns, no telegrams may be sent in Hebrew characters; and whether, as the Controller of Man-power to the Government of Palestine has publicly written that no Oriental language can be phonetically represented in Latin characters, he will authorise the sending of telegrams in Hebrew characters, and requite all officials in Palestine telegraph offices to qualify in the Hebrew alphabet and the Morse code as applied to that alphabet for telegrams?

Colonel Stanley

As regards the first part of the Question I am aware that the Mandate and Principal Order for Palestine prescribe Hebrew as one of the official languages. I am consulting the High Commissioner on the points raised in the remainder of the Question and I will communicate the result of my inquiry to my hon. Friend.