§ 21. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will state the size and composition of the forces, including police, now maintained for the purpose of defence in Palestine and Transjordan, the extra cost of the employment of British forces in Palestine and Transjordan during the present year, and the additional grant-in-aid towards the cost of the Transjordan frontier force?
Mr. THOMASAs regards the first part of the question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to pages 6 and 79 of the annual report on Palestine and Transjordan for 1930, issued by the Colonial Office (Colonial No. 59), of which, I understand, there is a copy in the House of Commons Library. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to sub-heads J. 1 and J. 2 of the Colonial and Middle Eastern Service Vote for 1931 (Class II. 9).
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these defence forces are needed for external defence, or only to protect the colonists imported by the British Government?