§ 27. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Revisionists, more than other Jews, are held to be guilty of reprisals in Palestine?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am not aware that any such general statement has been made. My reply to the right hon. and gallant Member's question of 8th December dealt with the case of certain individual Jews some of whom appear to be Revisionists. It made no reference to the party as a whole.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs it clear that the imprisonment of the 90 Jews at the present time is not a reprisal for their criticism of the inaction of the Administration?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreOh, yes, Sir. It is quite clear. These people have not been tried and imprisoned; they have been placed under preventive detention because of the fear that the police have that certain individuals may encourage the idea of reprisals.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAs the outrages are still going on, in spite of these people being imprisoned, could they not now be released?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, Sir. It is absolutely essential that in a matter in which the police have reason to believe that there are threats or encouragement to violent action, they should have the power of preventive arrest, in view of the general condition of Palestine to-day.
§ 29. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any further outrages, terrorist or otherwise, have taken place in Palestine during the past week; and whether he has any statement to make?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreSeveral outrages, involving loss of life, have occurred during the past week. I do not think that I could usefully make any further general statement at this stage.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that outbreaks during the last week have been worse than for a considerable period; and are the military Forces responsible or is it his responsibility?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI do not think it is either the military or the civil. The fact is that one of the leading Arab notables in Haifa has been murdered by an Arab extremist and a similar attack has been made by one who is alleged to be an Arab. It is terrorism of Arab by Arab.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsHas either of these terrorists been captured?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, neither of them.
§ Sir P. HarrisIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the police in Palestine are strong enough to deal with the situation; if not, will he consider increasing their number in order to make them an efficient force to deal with the problem of Palestine?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWe have been increasing the police force steadily, and a large number of new men have gone out from this country in recent months. They have, of course, to be trained in knowledge of the country, and they have difficult duties, having regard to the widespread nature of the trouble in Palestine.
§ Colonel WedgwoodHas the right hon. Gentleman not seen the telegram in the paper to-day saying that 13 Jews have been wounded in a 'bus?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have no official information.