§ 29. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the investigation and promotion of schemes for the settlement of German-Jewish refugees in Tanganyika, in accordance with the Government announcement on the matter?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have nothing to add at present to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Dorset, East (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 8th February.
§ Mr. ManderIs it still the policy of the Government to settle German Jews in Tanganyika, if possible?
Mr. MacDonaldAs I said in my previous answer, this matter has now been remitted to the Refugees Committee, and we are awaiting their comments before proceeding with the matter.
§ Mr. ManderThat does not answer my question. Is it still the policy of the Government to settle German Jews, if possible, in Tanganyika, as was suggested by the Prime Minister?
Mr. MacDonaldThis is a matter on which there has to be agreement between the Government and the voluntary organisations. As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, there is no alteration to be made in the previous statement.
§ 46. Mr. Hannahasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that the Government plans, as soon as preliminaries can be arranged, to establish within the Empire a new home for European refugees on a scale adequate to the necessity?
§ Sir S. HoareThis question is an international one, not confined to the Empire, and an international body, namely, the London Inter-Governmental Committee has been set up to continue and develop the work of the Evian Meeting and is constantly engaged in exploring the possibility of settlement in all countries represented on the Committee.
§ Mr. HannahWould it not be of immense help, both to the refugees and to the people who consider them undesirable citizens, if we were willing to do this work on a really adequate scale?
§ Sir S. HoareI think we are very anxious to do our full part.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the arrangements for the settlement of refugees are proceeding according to plan and to the satisfaction of the Government?
§ Sir S. HoareI could not give so general an answer as to say "Yes" to a question of that kind, but we are doing our best with the two schemes with which we are most directly concerned, namely, the schemes for settlement in Northern Rhodesia, and inquiries are actually taking place at this moment on the spot.
§ Brigadier-General Sir Henry CroftIn view of the fact that Governments since the War have found much difficulty in arranging for the organised settlement of British migrants, is it not apparent that these things cannot be done at a moment's notice and without a very great deal of preparatory work?
§ Sir S. HoareThat certainly is so. None the less, my hon. and gallant Friend will, I think, agree that it is a very urgent question, and that the sooner we can make some settlement the better.