867N.01/11–2045
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Secretary of State: As I said to you just now when we spoke on the telephone, Mr. Bevin asks me to tell you that he fully appreciates your desire to show that the Committee on Palestine will produce results quickly. On the other hand, he feels sure that it would be a mistake to fetter the Committee by making it work under the pressure of a fixed final date for the presentation of its conclusions.
Mr. Bevin suggests that these two considerations could be reconciled if the Committee were instructed to present interim recommendations within 120 days while being left free to determine itself the date of its final report. Mr. Bevin adds that the ground on which speed is demanded is the present plight of displaced Jews in Germany and that this would naturally be one of the suggestions for interim recommendation. He points out that he made this clear in paragraph 12 of his statement in the House of Commons. The point could be underlined in the instructions to the Committee.
Mr. Bevin presumes that the 120 days would have to start from the time when the Committee begins its investigations into the facts and after it has settled its procedure.
As Mr. Bevin fully shares your desire for speed, I know that he will be hoping to hear from you as soon as may be possible whether you agree to the above suggestion.
Believe me [etc.]