HC Deb 04 June 1934 vol 290 cc568-9
37. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received any reports as to the recent activities of Nazi propagandists in Palestine and in connection with the Levant Fair at Tel Aviv; whether any Nazi organisation has been formed among Arabs in Palestine; and will he direct an inquiry to be held as to whether any Arab newspapers in Palestine are receiving subsidies from Germany?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

I have not received reports of the nature suggested in the first part of the question. So far as I am aware, the answer to the second part is in the negative. I see no reason to institute the inquiry suggested in the last part of the question.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a report that a party of police turned up at the Tel Aviv Fair, with Swastikas on their uniforms? If he has not seen it, will be make inquiries?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I saw some such rumour, but I certainly should not give any circulation to a report of that kind unless I were satisfied of the truth of it.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the ill-feeling in Palestine, and will he inquire whether there is any truth whatever in the matter?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

It seems to me that the responsibility for any ill-feeling that may be created by those reports rests with those who circulate them, and not with the Government.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Surely the ill-feeling is created, not by the circulation of the report, but according to whether it is a fact or not. Will the right hon. Gentleman satisfy himself that there is no foundation whatever for that extraordinarily unpleasant report?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

If I were to follow up every report of any sort or kind that is circulated and treat it as a responsible report, I should be wasting a great deal of time. I am perfectly certain that, if there were anything to be commented on in the conduct of the police in Palestine, the High Commissioner on the spot would take immediate action and report to me.