§ 32. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give the House any account of the circumstances in which the assassination of Dr. Berqovitch 1386 was attempted some days ago; why it was necessary for the district officer at Safed to provide a police escort, for the doctor attached to the Scottish Mission at Tiberias who was summoned to Safed to attend Dr. Berqovitch, and what measures are being taken to restore order and give adequate protection to law-abiding citizens in the district?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe High Commissioner reported on the 4th December that Dr. Berqovitch was shot at and wounded on the previous afternoon while motoring to Rosh Pinah, and that his condition was serious. He further reported that 10 minutes later at the same place an Arab mounted Customs officer was shot at, and his horse wounded, and that the assailant in both cases was unknown. I have received no report as to the provision of a police escort for the doctor, but if the local authorities thought this precaution desirable, I am not disposed to question their view. Every effort is being made to preserve order and to protect law-abiding persons.