Britain to Consider World Situation in Framing Palestine Policy, Commons Told

Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald, asked in the House of Commons today to postpone announcement of a decision on Palestine because of current international tension, promised that “the policy of the Government regarding Palestine will be considered in the light of the world situation and will take full account of our obligations towards both Arabs and Jews.”

The question was put by Col. Josiah Wedgwood, Laborite, who asked whether it would not be politic, in the light of current tension and a protest singed by 200 members of the United States Congress against abandonment of the Balfour Declaration, postpone any declaration of a new Palestine policy.

“I understand,” the Colonial Secretary replied, “that reports have appeared in the American press indicating that such a statement has been signed. It has not been communicated to His Majesty’s Government. Mr. Wedgwood may rest assured that the policy of the Government regarding Palestine will be considered in the light of the world situation and will take full account of our obligations towards both Arabs and Jews.”

Col. Wedgwood then inquired: “May I ask whether this House will be consulted before any new settlement comes into operation?” Mr. MacDonald replied: “Nothing effective can be done unless and until it has the approval of this House.”

The Daily Express, reporting that the British Cabinet would consider today the latest Arab proposals for solution of the Palestine question, said it understood that if the plans were adopted the Government would make a “generous gesture” to the Jews by offering them a rich area of land somewhere in the Empire for the establishment of a Jewish national home.