§ 24. Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the latest situation in Palestine?
§ 36. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the present position in Palestine?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)While there has been some fluctuation from time to time in the number of acts of violence, there is little apparent change in the situation since my statement on 19th June. The broken nature of the country, and the opportunities which it affords for sniping and for acts of sabotage by armed persons at night, necessarily adds to the difficulties of Government in restoring order. Numerous arrests and 1177 seizures of arms and ammunition have been effected in the course of operations, and collective fines in sums varying from £5,000 to £60 have been imposed on the towns of Lydda and Hebron and on a number of villages. On 28th June the garrison was further reinforced by a mechanised cavalry regiment, the 8th Hussars.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman yet received the communications from the Supreme Moslem Council containing the original proposals of the Arabs and also explaining very clearly that they still support the strike?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREYes, Sir; communications have been received. I think the communications added to their original demands.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn view of the continuance of the political strike, involving, as it is doing, not only loss of material wealth but loss of human life, what steps, if any, are contemplated with regard to the leaders who are inspiring this strike?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWe are doing all we can by military reinforcements to restore order in the whole country.
§ Mr. CROSSLEYHave not the Supreme Moslem Council made it quite clear that, while supporting the strike, they do not agree with the acts of violence?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThey have certainly said that.
§ Mr. GALLACHERHas the Minister paid any attention to the criticism of the Palestine High Court as to the method of conducting affairs in Palestine, especially the demolition of parts of Jaffa?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is not the duty of this House or of myself to comment on anything said by a Judge in the High Court, any more than it is the duty of Ministers here to comment on what is said by the Lord Chief Justice or any other Judge in this country.