§ 28. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has received a request, dated 11th July, from the Foreign Jews' Protection Committee against deportation to Russia and asking him to receive a deputation; and, if so, what answer, if any, has been returned?
Mr. SAMUELI am not aware of whom this committee is composed, and in the first instance, am asking for information on that point.
§ 29. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has received a communication from the Jewish Board of Deputies which, while upholding it as the duty of Russian Jews to support the Allies in the War, refuses to support the policy of deporting them to Russia; if so, whether he can make known any answer which has been sent; and what action he proposes to take?
Mr. SAMUELThe terms of the resolution were:
That the Board supports the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the enlistment of friendly Aliens who may be Jews and offers to assist the Government in any way it may think fit as regards the composition of the proposed Special Tribunal.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there was definitely and intentionally no reference to the policy of deportation?
Mr. SAMUELI received no dissent from the policy which has been announced; in fact, the resolution sent to me approved of the policy.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a telegram stating that the Monarchist party were asking for the deportation of these subjects because the revolutionary movement was being instigated from other countries, and is this deportation due to this demand?
Mr. SAMUELMy attention has not been called to the statement in question. I can assure my hon. Friend and the House that in any case the action I have taken has no relation to any such matters, and is not prompted by any suggestion, direct or indirect, from the Russian Government.