HC Deb 05 June 1946 vol 423 cc334-5W
106. Mr. S. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for what purpose the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency have been requested to state, in writing, their attitude to the proposals of the Anglo-American Palestine Committee, in view of the fact that both these bodies gave evidence before the Committee in which evidence their views were fully stated.

Mr. McNeil

His Majesty's Government are pledged not to enter into commitments regarding the future of Palestine until they have consulted both Arabs and Jews. The fact that the Arab Higher Committee and the Jewish Agency gave evidence to the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry is not a reason for omitting them from the list of Governments and organisations which are being consulted in accordance with this pledge.

107. Mr. S. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been made to the U.S. Government for collaboration in implementing the recommendations of the Anglo-American Committee on Palestine; and when he hopes to be able to announce the Government's policy.

Mr. Bevin

No such proposals have been made to the United States Government. His Majesty's Government and the United States Government have agreed, as the first step in their joint examination of the Committee's Report, to initiate discussions between their respective officials. The policy of His Majesty's Government cannot be announced until they have concluded their consultations with the Government of the United States, the Arab Governments and representative Jewish and Arab organisations.