'File 11/32 Royal Commission on Palestine' [‎110r] (219/308)

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subject to the control of the High Commissioner. With this
object in view His Majesty’s Government will be prepared
immediately to arrange that Palestinians shall be placed
in charge of certain Departments, with British advisers. The
Palestinian heads of Departments will sit on the Executive
Council, which advises the High Commissioner. Arab and
Jewish representatives will be invited to serve as heads of
Departments approximately in proportion to their respec
tive populations. The number of Palestinians in charge of
Departments will be increased as circumstances permit
until all heads of Departments are Palestinians, exercising
the administrative and advisory functions which are at
present performed by British officials. When that stage is
reached consideration will be given to the question of
converting the Executive Council into a Council of
Ministers with a consequential change in the status and
functions of the Palestinian heads of Departments.
( 5 ) His Majesty’s Government make no proposals at this
stage regarding the establishment of an elective legislature.
Nevertheless they would regard this as an appropriate
constitutional development, and, should public opinion in
Palestine hereafter show itself in favour of such a develop
ment, they will be prepared, provided that local conditions
permit, to establish the necessary machinery.
( 6 ) At the end of five years from the restoration of peace
and order, an appropriate body representative of the people
of Palestine and of His Majesty’s Government will be
set up to review the working of the constitutional
arrangements during the transitional period and to consider
and make recommendations regarding the constitution of
A the independent Palestine State.
( 7 ) His Majesty’s Government will require to be satisfied
that in the treaty contemplated by sub-paragraph ( 1 ) or
in the constitution contemplated by sub-paragraph ( 6 )
^ adequate provision has been made for: —
(а) the security of, and freedom of access to, the
Holy Places, and the protection of the interests and
property of the various religious bodies.
( б ) the protection of the different communities
in Palestine in accordance with the obligations of His
Majesty’s Government to both Arabs and Jews and
for the special position in Palestine of the Jewish
National Home.
(c) such requirements to meet the strategic situation
as may be regarded as necessary by His Majesty’s
Government in the light of the circumstances then
existing.