LORD RAGLANMy Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government whether the unemployed Jewish immigrants in Palestine are being formed into labour battalions, and if so, how these battalions are being employed, and at what rates and from what funds they are being paid.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLANDMy Lords, the High Commissioner informs me that unemployed Jewish immigrants are not being formed into labour battalions. In July last it was decided as far as possible to replace Egyptian labour by Palestinian labour on work required for the Army in Palestine. The Egyptian Labour Corps were therefore relieved and Palestinians took their place. No additional cost to Army funds was involved. Your Lordships will, I am sure, agree that the step taken was in the economic interest of Palestine. The High Commissioner and the Palestine Government are fully alive to the possible economic dangers of unrestricted Jewish immigration. The present restrictions are severe and their severity has been increased by a recent decision under which all applications from intending immigrants of what may be termed the labouring classes have in the first place to 510 be referred to the Palestine Government. The latter will decide in each case whether a particular immigrant can be admitted without danger of unemployment.
THE DUKE OF SUTHERLANDNo additional costs to Army funds are involved. No further expenditure could be paid out of Army funds without an additional Vote.