§ 47. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the two Jewish women who have been hunger striking in Bethlehem Gaol for a week without the news being allowed to transpire are now at liberty; how long they had been gaoled at Bethlehem before they struck, and were they convicted or awaiting sentence; and will he find out whether the officer in charge of the prison was English, Arab, or Jew?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I have no information on the subject, but I will write to the High Commissioner for a report.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhen the right hon. Gentleman is writing to the High Commissioner could he indicate to him that the continuing imprisonment of innocent people is raising considerable opposition in this country?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have no reason to suppose that the courts in Palestine are imprisoning innocent people.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that people are guilty who go to Palestine because there is nowhere else to go?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf they are persons who, knowing quite well the immigration law, deliberately enter Palestine by forged and improper means, they are certainly guilty.