HC Deb 07 June 1939 vol 348 cc429-30W
Mr. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the contemplated legislation restricting the sale of land in Palestine will be deferred pending consideration by the Permanent Mandates Commission of the policy enunciated in the White Paper?

Mr. Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will assure the House that he will not promulgate restrictive land legislation in Palestine before the question of the compatibility with the mandate, of the policy formulated in the White Paper, Cmd. 6019, has been considered by the Permanent Mandates Commission and the Council of the League of Nations?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am unable to give this assurance. The approval of the Council of the League is only required for any amendment of the Mandate for Palestine, and in the opinion of His Majesty's Government no amendment of the mandate is involved in the policy formulated in Command Paper 6019.