§ 20. Mr. FREEMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the daily grant for food to Jewish political prisoners in Palestine gaols is 45 mils and for Arab political prisoners 11 mils per diem; what is the reason for this discrimination; whether there are any other differences in the treatment accorded to prisoners of Jewish, Arab, or European nationalities; whether he will state the 961 amount of food allowance for European prisoners; and whether measures will be taken to ensure that, in future, there shall be no race discrimination between prisoners confined in Palestinian gaols?
§ Dr. SHIELSAs the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. FREEMANIs there a difference in the treatment of these prisoners?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, there is a difference, but it is a difference dependent on the former standard of life of the prisoners.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs it the case that the appetite of the Jew is four times that of the Arab?
§ Mr. McSHANESurely we cannot have heard the Minister aright. Does he say that, if a man is put in prison and was more or less half-starved previously, that would still continue to be the diet of that man while in prison.
§ Dr. SHIELSNo, Sir. I would like to make it clear that I did not say that at all.
§ Following is the answer:
§ No, Sir. No racial distinction is made in the treatment of prisoners in Palestine. As regards the third part of the question, the Palestine Government has adopted, so far as conditions and circumstances permit, the principle that special treatment should be accorded in prison to persons who are accustomed to a higher standard of living. As regards the fourth part of the question, the diet prescribed for persons receiving special treatment, as laid down in August, 1930, is as follows:
| Grams. | |
| Bread | 450 |
| Potatoes | 200 |
| Rice | 60 |
| Sugar | 60 |
| Beans | 50 |
| Meat (without bone or excessive amount of fat) | 250 |
| Fresh vegetables (without outside leaves, stalks, etc.) | 400 |
| Milk | 150 |
| Tea | 20 |
| Salt | 15 |
| Pepper | 0.25 |
§ This scale of diet may be changed from time to time on the recommendation of the competent medical authorities. The fifth part of the question does not arise.