§ 12. Mr. JANNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate number of tourists who visited Palestine during the months of December, 1932 and 1933, and January, 1933 and 1934, respectively?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I am replying on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The immigration returns do not distinguish between tourists and other travellers. The number of travellers who entered Palestine in December, 1932, was 3,667, in January, 1933, 3,248, and in December, 1933, 3,960. The return for January, 1934, is not yet available.
§ Mr. JANNERIs the hon. Member satisfied that there are no unnecessary restrictions placed on tourists to prevent them going to Palestine?
§ Mr. MacDONALDQuite satisfied.
14. Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Englishmen have been refused entry into Palestine and for what reasons; and what is the number of British who have been refused visas?
§ Mr. MacDONALDThis information is not available in any of the returns which are furnished by the Palestine Government.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANIf I bring to the hon. Gentleman's notice a case in which it was refused, will he take up the question?
§ Mr. MacDONALDCertainly I will.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the hon. Gentleman also take up the question of why British subjects in Palestine are not allowed to vote?
§ 15. Mr. BROCKLEBANK (for Mr. RANKIN)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information regarding the provision that travellers to Palestine must pay a deposit against their ultimate departure from the territory?
§ Mr. MacDONALDThe written reply to the previous question by my hon. Friend, which was put down for the 21st of December, was recorded in the OFFICIAL REPORT for the 29th of January. That reply was framed in the light of the information available at the time. Since then it is learnt that the Government of Palestine have decided that the provision regarding a deposit shall be applied in the case of visitors to Palestine, travelling otherwise than by first class, from all countries.
§ Mr. JANNERIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that no unnecessary regulations prevail which will stop people who want to visit Palestine from going there?
§ Mr. MacDONALDThe object of the regulation, as the hon. Member knows, is to prevent illicit immigration, and it was decided upon in order to achieve that object.
§ Mr. JANNERIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that it will not result in depriving people of the right to go to Palestine?
§ Mr. MacDONALDI am satisfied that that is being as much achieved as is consistent with the main object of the regulation.