867N.00/340
Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Bingham ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 8.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that on July 29th, the Secretary of State for the Colonies12 announced in the House of Commons that the King had approved the appointment of the following to serve on the Palestine Royal Commission:
- The Right Honorable Earl Peel, G.C.S.I., C.B.E.; Chairman;
- The Right Honorable Sir Horace Rumbold, Baronet, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., M.V.O.; Vice Chairman;
- Sir Laurie Hammond, K.C.S.I., C.B.E.;
- Sir Morris Carter, C.B.E.;
- Sir Harold Morris, M.B.E., K.C.;
- Professor Reginald Coupland, C.I.E.
Mr. Ormsby-Gore said that Mr. J. M. Martin of the Colonial Office would be Secretary, and that the terms of reference of the Royal Commission will be as follows:
“To ascertain the underlying causes of the disturbances which broke out in Palestine in the middle of April; to inquire into the manner in which the Mandate for Palestine is being implemented in relation to the obligations of the Mandatory towards the Arabs and the Jews respectively; and to ascertain whether, upon a proper construction of the terms of the Mandate, either the Arabs or the Jews have any legitimate grievances upon account of the way in which the Mandate has been, or is being implemented; and if the commission is satisfied that any such grievances are well founded, to make recommendations for their removal and for the prevention of their recurrence.”
Mr. Ormsby-Gore also said that it was not yet possible to state on what date the Commission will leave for Palestine, but it was not proposed that the Commission should begin its work in Palestine until order has been restored there.
A clipping from Hansard of July 29th, containing the above-mentioned announcement and the subsequent debate is attached hereto.13
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy