20. Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under Section 4 (a) of the Immigration Amendment Bill, 1936, proposed by the Palestine Government, if a foreigner is charged with entering Palestine or remaining there as a traveller or on a transit visa after the permitted period, the onus of showing that he is lawfully in Palestine is on the accused person; and whether he will take steps to secure modification of these proposals in conformity with the principles of British law?
Mr. J. H. THOMASI am aware of the provision referred to, and I consider that it is justified in the special circumstances of Palestine, in order that attempts at evasion of the immigration law may be more effectively dealt with.