Mcmahon-Hussein Correspondence.

Oral Answers to Questions — Palestine. – in the House of Commons am ar 29 Mawrth 1939.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Committee, set up at the Palestine Conference to consider the McMahon-Hussein correspondence, gave no opportunity to the Jewish delegation to present their views and offer evidence?

Photo of Mr Thomas Inskip Mr Thomas Inskip , Fareham

The committee was a joint committee of the United Kingdom and Arab delegations to the conferences on Palestine, set up to consider certain pledges given or alleged to have been given by His Majesty's Government to the Arabs, and, if possible, to reconcile the views of these two delegations about these pledges. The committee was a committee of the United Kingdom-Arab Conference; it was not set up to consider any corresponding pledges given to the Jews, and it did not attempt to do so. In any case, the committee confined itself to a study of the documents, and did not call witnesses or hear evidence. In the circumstances, I can see no reason why this committee should have sought the views of the Jews or of any other third party.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

In view of the fact that certain of the decisions arrived at closely affect Jewish interests, would it not have been only fair to give them an opportunity of putting their point of view?

Photo of Mr Thomas Inskip Mr Thomas Inskip , Fareham

I think that, for the reasons I have mentioned, it is not a question of fairness, but a question of convenience, having regard to the task which the Committee was appointed to discharge.