HC Deb 05 February 1930 vol 234 c1891
51. Mr. MARCUS

asked the. Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British taxpayer has contributed towards the creation of the Jewish homeland m Palestine or the maintenance of the Palestine administration, or whether the civil administration of Palestine is entirely supported by means of its own internal revenue; and from what source the excess cost of the British forces stationed in Palestine and Trans-jordan over the cost of such forces if stationed in Great Britain is defrayed?

Dr. SHIELS

Apart from charges in respect of a force of British Gendarmerie which was established, under the orders of the Palestine Government, in order to enable reductions to be effected in the Imperial Garrison, no portion of the cost of the Civil Administration of Palestine has been defrayed by the British Exchequer. As regards the last part of the question, the excess cost of the normal Garrison, apart from works services in Transjordan, is borne by Palestine funds. The question of incidence of charge of the additional forces employed during the recent disturbances has not yet been settled.