HC Deb 29 June 1931 vol 254 c880
38. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, since the letter of the Prime Minister to Dr. Weissman, the Palestine Government have now to employ a number of Jews in all Government contracts; that the rate of wages paid to the Jews is higher than that paid for the same work to the Arabs, who have in addition to work longer hours; and whether he will look into the matter?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)

The words used in the Prime Minister's letter were: With regard to public and municipal works falling to be financed out of public funds, the claim of Jewish labour to a due share of the employment available, taking into account Jewish contributions to public revenue, shall be taken into consideration. That is the policy which the High Commissioner is engaged in carrying out. My Noble Friend is fully satisfied that he will do so with due regard to all relevant considerations, including those relating to wages, hours of employment and standards of output.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this case, for the first time in history, similar work is being paid for at differential rates, according to the religion of the workers; and will he not stop this undesirable precedent?

Mr. TOOLE

Is not the remedy to raise the wages of the Arabs?

Dr. SHIELS

The difference in the economic standards of the two races is one of our great difficulties. We are pursuing, sympathetically, the objects indicated in the question.

Mr. BROCKWAY

In view of the fact that it is the stated policy of the Colonial Office to secure equality of status, will not the hon. Gentleman raise the Arab standard to the Jewish standard, rather than reduce the Jewish standard?

Dr. SHIELS

That is certainly an object which we would desire.