74. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the assassination on Thursday last of Halim Basta, captain of the Arab section of the Palestine police?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have learned with great regret from the High Commissioner for Palestine that Halim Basta, an assistant superintendent of police, Criminal Investigation Department, was shot dead in Haifa in the afternoon of 15th April, by three Arabs armed with pistols. His orderly was seriously wounded and has since died. The High Commissioner has further reported that a reward has been offered, but that no arrests have yet been made. The identity of the murderers is unknown, but several persons who are suspected of being members of a local terrorist gang which is believed to be implicated, are known to be on the run. Halim Basta had been working to bring this gang to justice.