HC Deb 26 April 1938 vol 335 cc34-5
69. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Palestine?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

The latest reports that I have received from the High Commissioner on the general situation cover the period from 11th to 25th April. During this period a number of murders and other violent outrages occurred. On 16th April, an armed Arab band was engaged by military and police forces near the Nablus-Tulkarn Road and 16 members of the band are believed to have been killed, excluding possible casualties inflicted by aircraft. Four prisoners and a number of rifles and ammunition were captured; one British soldier was slightly wounded.

Mr. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that every possible step has been taken to deal with the situation?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Every effort has been made, but it is clear that armed bands are very active all over Palestine, and that the number of outrages is very large.

Mr. Williams

Has the Minister any information that any outside person or body is subsidising those armed bands?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, but there certainly are infiltrations from other parts of the Arab world of people who join up with these bands.

Mr. Dalton

Has the Minister no evidence of who is paying these bands?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

There are widespread collectings throughout the Moslem world, in India and the like, but I have no evidence that any individual is doing it.

Miss Wilkinson

Has the Minister any evidence that a European Power is paying for it?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

None whatever.

Miss Wilkinson

Why did the previous Foreign Secretary say that he had evidence that the Italian Government had done it?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That was in regard to propaganda. The Italian Government were paying for active propaganda, but this is a question of providing arms and subsidising people who are doing violent acts against the British military authority?

Captain Cazalet

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is full cooperation between the police and the military now for the maintenance of order in Palestine?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Oh, yes, absolutely.

Mr. Gallacher

The Palestinians are fighting for their rights.

Viscountess Astor

Who is subsidising the "Daily Worker "?

Miss Wilkinson

Or the "Times," or the others?