Palestine Development Scheme: Consultations with Jewish Leaders Practically Concluded Dr. Drummond S

Both Arab and Jewish leaders have been given an opportunity of expressing their views on the proposals of the Government with regard to development in Palestine, Dr. Drummond Shiels, the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, said in the House of Commons to-day in replying to Colonel Howard-Bury, who had asked him whether he could state what was the present position of the Development Scheme with regard to Palestine, whether negotiations were still proceeding with the Jewish Agency on this question and whether the Arab Executive were being also consulted.

I hope it may be possible before long to make a further statement on the subject, Dr. Shiels added, but I now able to say when that can be done.

The consultations with the Jewish leaders are practically concluded, he went on, and with regard to the Arab Executive the position is that they were invited to consult with the High Commissioner on these proposals. The Arab Executive said that before they could do so, certain conditions would have to be observed, which conditions would have made formal consultations impossible. The High Commissioner, however, consulted with a number of the Arab leaders in a personal capacity and obtained their views on the proposals, so that what I have said in my answer is correct – that an opportunity has been given to both sides to state their views.

Sir Henry Betterton, one of the members of the Shaw Enquiry Commission, asked Dr. Shiels whether he could say when these proposals would be laid before the House.

I cannot say definitely, Dr. Shiels replied, but it will not be very long.