§ 31. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, and with what results, police searched Kfar Saba colony in Palestine, for arms?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)This action was taken as a result of an incident at the Arab village of Kfar Saba on 3rd February, when a truck containing six Arab passengers was fired on. Acting on information received, the police on 22nd February searched six houses in the Jewish settlement of Kafar Sava, three kilometres south-west of the Arab village. The occupants of these houses were suspected of having been concerned in the firing on 3rd February. As a result of the search, one new Polish rifle, parts of another and other military equipment were seized. Six Jews were arrested, of whom two still remain in custody.
§ Colonel WedgwoodWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to have these men released; and has he observed that yesterday the Appeal Court in Palestine released Arabs who had been arrested for having arms on the ground that as they had been arrested after the expiration of the emergency regulations, the arrests were illegal?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI should like notice of the second part of the question. I had not heard before of the action of the Appeal Court to which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman refers. I certainly will not order the release of these people. They are suspected of having been implicated, and I think the charge ought to go forward.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAre we to understand that in Palestine there is one law for the Jews and another for the Arabs?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreCertainly not.