95. Mr. Ivor Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the terms to be offered upon the termination of the Mandate to the Palestine Police and members of the Administration.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI. The terms of compensation for members of the Palestine Civil Service whose careers will be affected by the termination of the Mandate as set out in Annexure I.
2. His Majesty's Government hope that many of the British staff concerned will be offered and will accept suitable alternative employment in the Colonial Service or in other public service. It is also hoped that a large proportion of the local Palestinian staff will be absorbed in employment under the successor authorities in accordance with the expressed intention of the United Nations Palestine Commission. The terms of compensation have been framed with these considerations in mind.
3. In the view of His Majesty's Government the financial commitment involved in the payment of this compensation constitutes a liability to be assumed, equally with the cost of superannuation benefits now being paid or falling due in the future, by the successor authorities. This view has been con- 22W veyed to the United Nations Commission and the terms of compensation have at the same time been communicated to them in order that they may be aware of the extent of the liability.
4. Meanwhile the expatriate officers concerned have the assurance of His Majesty's Government that they will receive the compensation and statutory benefits and leave rights to which they are entitled. In the circumstances of the termination of the Mandate, His Majesty's Government feel that in the interim period pending the establishment of successor states the local non-expatriate staff who have served the Mandatory Government loyally and well should also have an assurance that, so far as may be practicable, they will receive the payments due to them. This assurance will hold good until such time as successor authorities have emerged, which, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, are capable of taking over the liability.
5. Any payments made under either of these assurances will be regarded as recoverable from the successor states and will be taken into account in any financial agreement to be negotiated with the United Nations Commission or the successor states.