§ 28. Mr. BURGESSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Jews who have emigrated to Palestine during the last 12 months from English-speaking countries; and will he give the total number of Jews who have settled in that period?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe number of Jews who emigrated to Palestine from English-speaking countries during the year 1922 was 200, out of a total of 7,844, and for the months January to May, 1923, the number was 34, out of a total of 4,088.
§ Major PAGETCan the hon. Gentleman say what cost these Jews have entailed on the British taxpayer?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENone at all. The whole cost of the emigration was borne entirely by the Jews themselves.
§ Major PAGETI mean the cost of holding the country for their spiritual home?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe object of our being in Palestine is not merely to hold it for a spiritual home, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman calls it, for the Jews. There are other reasons.