§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangement has yet been completed through the United Nations organisation for the future safeguarding of the Holy Places in Jerusalem; and what progress has been made towards the international control of the Holy City.
§ Mr. MayhewNo arrangements have yet been completed by the United Nations for the safeguarding of Holy Places in Jerusalem or elsewhere.
The resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 11th December, 1948, instructed the Palestine Conciliation Commission to present to the fourth regular session of the General Assembly detailed proposals for a permanent international regime for the Jerusalem area, including recommendations concerning the Holy Places in that area, and to call upon the political authorities of the areas concerned to give appropriate formal guarantees as to the protection of Holy Places outside the Jerusalem area and access to them, these undertakings to be presented to the General Assembly for approval.
The Conciliation Commission has prepared a Draft Instrument Establishing a Permanent International Regime for the Jerusalem Area and a Draft Declaration concerning the Holy Places, religious buildings and sites in Palestine outside the Area of Jerusalem. The latter has been submitted to the Arab States and Israel.
The present Session of the General Assembly is expected to consider both the Draft Instrument establishing an international regime in the Jerusalem area and the Conciliation Commission's report on the action taken by the Arab States and Israel regarding the Holy Places outside the Jerusalem area.