§ 50. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the action of the High Commissioner for Palestine in restricting the number of Jewish immigrants to 5,600; and whether, in view of the undertaking to assist the Jewish people to build Palestine, the efforts which have made it possible to absorb Jewish labour and the large number of Jewish exiles at the present time, he will enter into consultation with the High Commissioner as to the desirability of allowing an increase in the number of Jewish immigrants?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe figure referred to by the hon. Member is the Labour Schedule for six months. The total number of immigrants is considerably in excess of that figure, the total for the first two months of this year being 4,890. As the hon. Member is aware, His Majesty's Government has always insisted, as is their duty under the Mandate, that immigration into Palestine must be governed by the economic absorptive capacity of that country. I am sure too that it will be generally agreed that the absorptive capacity can best be judged by the High Commissioner on the spot.
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs it not a fact that the addition to the ordinary quota has been advanced for the forth- 204 coming half-year; further, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House the number of certificates applied for by the Jewish agency and whether the Jewish agency were convinced that they could find employment for such a number; if so, what was the reason for cutting it down to a very small proportion?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI could not answer a number of detailed questions involving figures. I can take responsibility without notice for saying that the decision as to the number of immigrants that should be admitted was arrived at by the High Commissioner simply and solely on his authoritative judgment as to what was the genuine absorptive capacity of the country, looking both at the present and the future.
§ Captain STRICKLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman agree that there has been Government restriction, that he denied the other day?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir, most certainly not. There has not been any change whatever in the policy which every Government have pursued in the last 15 years ever since the mandate was undertaken. We are pledged under the mandate that the High Commissioner shall decide the number of immigrants on the absorptive capacity of the country.
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs that not a restriction on the number asked for?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEROf course, it is a restriction.