§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, despite the state of emergency existing in Palestine, a large number of the senior personnel of the Palestine Government have gone on long leave during the past quarter for periods varying from three to seven months; and whether, in view of the fact that, so far as the military garrison is concerned, duty in Palestine is regarded as active service and leave only granted sparingly, he will consider whether the present arrangements for maintaining an adequate civil administration are sufficient?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe matter is one which I must leave to the discretion of the High Commissioner, but I am not aware that recent leave arrangements have been exceptional. I would remind my hon. Friend that the Palestine Administration has been working continuously for more than two years under conditions of very great difficulty and strain, and its officers have fully earned the leave to which they are entitled. I am satisfied that the arrangements for maintaining an adequate civil administration are sufficient. As regards the comparison with the military garrison, I understand that there are no special leave restrictions applicable to troops in Palestine, and I would point out that the tour of service of military personnel in that territory is at present limited to one year.
§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the view that partition offers the best and most hopeful solution of the Palestine deadlock was, as stated by Sir John Shuckburgh before the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations recently, reaffirmed in the House of Commons?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe reference was to the reply given by my Noble Friend, Lord Harlech, to the hon. and gallant Member for Chippenham (Captain Cazalet) on 9th February.