§ 50. Captain STRICKLANDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the demand for houses and business premises in Tel Aviv and Haifa is considerably in excess of the supply; what has been the consequent percentage rise in rents; and what steps are being taken to meet the demand for additional labour required in the building trade?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunfiffe-Lister)On the recommendation of a local committee, temporary legislation was enacted in Palestine last April in order to restrict the increase of rents of dwelling-houses in the larger towns. The committee estimated that in Tel-Aviv the average in- 529 crease demanded in 1934 in the rents of dwellings, as compared with the previous year, was between 40 and 50 per cent. In the case of Haifa the committee did not make an estimate of the increase, but they remarked that rents which had been rather low from the end of 1929 began to rise steeply last July. The Director of Immigration in Palestine is empowered by law to admit persons skilled in certain trades or crafts who possess capital of not less than £250, provided that he is satisfied that the economic capacity of Palestine is such as to allow such persons to be absorbed in the trade or craft which they propose to follow; and I understand that 500 such persons will be admitted in the near future.
§ 51. Mr. JANNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the Palestinian Government's total surplus on 30th April, 1934; and what was the surplus for the year ended 31st March, 1934?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe total surplus of Palestine on the 30th April, 1934, was £2,634,460. The surplus at the 31st March, 1934, was £2,510,932.
§ 52. Mr. JANNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the latest recorded number of men employed on public works in Palestine and how many of these were Jews?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe annual report on Palestine for the year 1933 shows that, during the period from the 1st April to the 31st December, employment in the Public Works Department amounted to 790,065 men days, of which Jewish labour accounted for 68,982 men days. The total spent in wages was £125,615, of which £26,993 was paid to Jewish labour.
§ Mr. JANNERHas the right hon. Gentleman any particulars as to the present position with regard to labour on public works?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir; I have given the latest information that I possibly could.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say if this is one of the fortunate countries where there is no unemployment?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would not go quite so far as to say that, but I think it is very fortunate in comparison with many other countries.