HC Deb 09 June 1937 vol 324 cc1746-7
27. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Jewish agency has accepted or refused the present labour schedule, allotting only 220 certificates out of the 11,250 applied for to meet the general demand of the Jewish labour market; and what action it is proposed to take?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

A statement has been issued by the Jewish Agency from which it is inferred that while accepting the 400 certificates earmarked for German Jews whose settlement is to be assisted with funds provided by the Central Council for German Jewry, they have decided not to accept the balance of 220 certificates included in the schedule. I am not aware that this decision calls for any action on the part of the Government.

Mr. Mander

In view of the fact that this schedule has been rejected by the Jewish Agency as a travesty of the Mandate, cannot the Colonial Secretary say what action he proposes to take in regard to Jewish immigration into Palestine in view of the fact that the Agency is not prepared to accept them?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The hon. Member knows that the Jewish Agency can forward complaints against His Majesty's Government by petition to the Permanent Mandates Commission. On the general question it is obvious, as I have made clear on more than one occasion, that the Government cannot depart from the strict letter of the MacDonald letter to Dr. Weizmann until they have received the report of the Royal Commission.

Mr. Mander

Are these 220 emigrants going in or not?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Yes, I presume that the Government organisation in Palestine will distribute them, and that the Jewish Agency will not.

Mr. Crossley

Does that mean that these 220 certificated emigrants will not go? May I also ask why the right hon. Gentleman should be menaced by the Jewish Agency?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I am not in the least menaced by the Jewish Agency. If they do not want these 220 certificates issued by the High Commissioner under the usual procedure the emigration department has a perfect right to dispose of them as it thinks best.