§ Mr. BECKERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been spent to date upon the palace of the High Commissioner in Palestine; and does he propose to allow further expenditure in connection with this palace?
Mr. THOMASThe High Commissioner is accommodated in a hired building which also contains the secretariat 63W and other Government offices and officers' quarters. It is not possible to state the amount spent on the part occupied by the High Commissioner.
§ Mr. CHARLETONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has come to any decision respecting the future of Palestine?
Mr. THOMASYes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have decided, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, to adhere to the policy of giving effect to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, under which Great Britain undertook to promote the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, it being clearly understood that nothing should be done to prejudice the civil and religious rights of other communities in the country. As the House is aware, this policy was embodied in the Mandate for Palestine which was approved by the League of Nations.