§ 24. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware of the uneasiness among Jewish people in many parts of the Empire and in foreign countries at the suspension of Jewish immigation into Palestine; and whether he has any further statement to make on the subject?
§ 34. Mr. DENMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the interference with the normal process of granting immigration certificates into Palestine has caused inconvenience and uncertainty as to the intention of British policy; and whether the customary procedure will now be resumed until the Government has any change in policy to announce?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)I am fully aware of all the circumstances. The policy of His Majesty's Government in this respect is explained in the reply given on the 21st of May to the questions put by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) and the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Marcus), and I do not think I could usefully make any further statement at present.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill my hon. Friend be good enough to say whether conditions have developed since the answer was given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton)? Has he no further statement to make on the matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSNo, Sir. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, we are awaiting the report from Sir John Hope Simpson in regard to this matter before we reach any decision.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYHas the attention of the hon. Gentleman been drawn to the great uneasiness which is felt by the Arab population at the increasing Jewish immigration?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill my hon. Friend be able, in the course of the debate to-morrow, to give a rather fuller answer on this question?
§ Dr. SHIELSAs far as I understand, the time available to-morrow for the Colonial Office Vote would not give an opportunity to do full justice to this question. If I had to deal with the question of Palestine, I should like an opportunity to deal with it fully. As far as I can gather at present, to-morrow does not appear to give that opportunity.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes not my hon. Friend know that to-morrow we hope to raise the question of Palestine and expect an answer from the Government upon it?
§ Dr. SHIELSNo, Sir. I have had no intimation on that point.
§ Mr. DENMANMay we have an assurance that an announcement will be made as early as possible in this matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSCertainly.