§ 32 and 23. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies 1554 (1) whether and, if so, why new immigrant doctors into Palestine are restricted to five a year; and whether there is a limitation on the numbers of doctors or lawyers allowed to practise in any other British Colony or Dominion;
(2) whether there are any and, if so, what restrictions on the number of Jewish refugees from Germany practising as doctors in Palestine; and, if so, who asked for the restriction?
§ The DEPUTY SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)In March last the Executive of the Jewish Agency in Palestine was informed of the proposal of the Palestine Government to institute measures for the limitation of the number of licences to be issued annually to doctors, dentists, and advocates. I am not aware that any request for such restrictions had been made. No legislation has yet been enacted to give effect to these proposals, which are at present the subject of correspondence between the High Commissioner and myself. So far as I am aware, no similar system of limitation exists in other British Dependencies or in the self-governing Dominions.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI hope that I am right in supposing that the right hon. Gentleman will do his best to prevent such an unusual distinction?