§ 1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement with regard to the situation in North Palestine and the position of the Jewish Colonists there; whether the British forces can render any assistance in ease of further attacks; and whether order is being maintained in the British sphere of influence in Palestine?
§ 4. Mr. SITCHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information regarding alleged Bedouin attacks on Jewish 1049 colonies in Galilee since the withdrawal of British troops; and whether any action is being taken in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The situation in the British occupied zone of Northern Palestine is satisfactory, and we know of no attacks on Jewish colonies there. With regard to the territory further north in French occupation, His Majesty's Government have no information of disturbances beyond an unconfirmed report of collisions between Jewish colonists and Arabs near Metullah in February and early March, in the course of which five Jews and five Arabs are said to have lost their lives.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I have a reply to the second part of my question—whether the British forces can render any assistance in case of further attacks? If the French are not able to do it, will we be permitted to offer our services?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThat is a very difficult question. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give me notice.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWith great respect, this is part of the question. May I ask for this point to be considered?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHIt will certainly be considered, but I cannot give any definite answer.
§ Major Earl WINTERTONIs it not perfectly clear that we have no more responsibility for what happens there than for what happens in France?
§ 3. Mr. GRUNDYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the general and sanitary conditions in Palestine have been greatly improved, permission can now be granted to the thousands of immigrants who are waiting at Constantinople and other ports to proceed to Palestine?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThe opening of Palestine to immigration depends not so much on the general or sanitary conditions of the country as on the final decisions of the Peace Conference in regard to its future; but I may add that the 1050 latest reports show that there is already some difficulty in provisioning the existing population.