§ 43. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the measures taken against Jews in Germany, he will relax the restriction on emigration into Palestine for the benefit of refugees?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The administration of the Immigration Law of Palestine is a matter within the discretion of the High Commissioner. It is open to the Palestine Executive of the Jewish Agency to make any representations on the subject which they may wish to the High Commissioner, who can be depended upon to give full consideration to such representations; but there can be no question of departing from the principle, which has been consistently followed, that immigration into Palestine must be governed by the economic absorptive capacity of the country.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDid the right hon. Gentleman see what "Le Temps" said about England last Saturday, and is he not ashamed to allow England to fall behind France and Czechoslovakia in ordinary humanity?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI did not see the paper to which my right hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I am quite sure that no charge can be sustained that this country stands behind any other country in its humanity.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn that case is there a chance that we may offer a refuge to the persecuted in Germany?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf the right hon. and gallant Member will look at the figures of immigration into Palestine for the last year and compare them with the year before, he will see that a very large increase was made in the numbers of immigrants who were taken.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODYes, but most of these people are professional people who have lost any chance of livelihood, and is there no chance of their being admitted?
§ Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONOught we not to make a special effort in present circumstances, and will the right hon. Gentleman not consider calling together a committee of this House to consider the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think these are two perfectly distinct questions. This is a matter of immigration into Palestine, and it has always been the policy followed by the mandatory Power—and no other policy could possibly be pursued in Palestine in carrying out the idea of a national home—that the economic conditions of the country must govern the number of immigrants.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the general rules about permanent immigration will prevent Palestine being available now as an asylum for the Jews?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think I have stated quite plainly what are the absolute commitments of this country as between the Arabs and Jews in that country, and I am sure that nothing but disaster could follow from not fully carrying out the mandate in that spirit.
§ Mr. MAXTONWhat about temporary arrangements?