HC Deb 17 March 1937 vol 321 cc2051-4
36. Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make concerning the murders in Palestine, particularly that of Dr. Lehr at Beisan; and has he considered taking more active measures to suppress banditry?

37. Sir P. Harris

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make about the three Jewish labourers ambushed and murdered on 14th March near the village of Yavneel, in the Tiberius district, and the two Jewish shepherds stabbed to death and strangled in the Nazareth Hills on 13th March; and what steps the Government is taking to strengthen the police force organisation both to prevent and punish such outrages?

38. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to introduce martial law in Palestine, in view of the failure of all other methods of maintaining law and order?

43. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make as to the latest outbreak of violence in Palestine; the responsibility for the same; and whether any extension of the disorder is feared?

Mr. Ormsby Gore

I deeply deplore the assassinations and acts of violence which have occurred in Palestine during the past few months, and I was glad to note that on 10th February a statement issued by the Officer Administering the Government of Palestine was published in the local Press, announcing that the Mufti of Jerusalem and two other members of the Arab Higher Committee had expressed their abhorrence of these acts. But, unfortunately, the criminal acts have continued.

As regards the murder of a Jewish settler at Beit Alpha on 22nd February, five Arabs were arrested on suspicion by 27th February, and further arrests were expected to be made. Following on the murder, on the 26th February, of Dr. Lehrs at Beisan, the owner of a house to which the police dogs followed tracks has been arrested, and search has been made for another suspect who, it is believed, escaped into Transjordan. On 27th February the Arab Mayor and Notables of Beisan expressed to the Assistant District Commissioner at Nazareth their regrets and horror at this murder. A reward of £500 has been offered by the Palestine Government for information leading to the arrest of the murderers, and a further reward of £1,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders occurring on 13th March.

It will be appreciated that it is extremely difficult to ensure security in a country where tension is so acute following on the prolonged disturbances of last year. I have, personally, discussed with the High Commission for Palestine the question of taking further measures for dealing with the increasing number of acts of violence which have recently occurred in certain parts of the country. The High Commissioner who is due to reach Palestine on Friday, 19th instant, will take up the matter in consultation with his advisers and with the General Officer Commanding the Forces as a matter of urgency on his arrival.

Colonel Wedgwood

How long will His Majesty's Government be content to go on tolerating the present state of affairs in Palestine, and when will martial law be proclaimed?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I do not know whether martial law is the way to deal with this matter. That is a matter for considered advice. As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, we have power under an Order-in-Council which we could exercise, but, of course, that is not martial law. Martial law means the complete end of all civil government, and His Majesty's Government would be reluctant to have to resort to that.

Sir P. Harris

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these outrages are not organised by some central influence, by some power behind the scenes?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Yes, I think I am quite satisfied that these acts—both murders of Arabs by Arabs and of Jews by Arabs—are organised by bodies which are very local in character. They are admittedly the work of a small murder gang, and I am quite sure that these small murder gangs have no connection with the Higher Committee.

Mr. Mander

Is it not essential that, whatever may be happening in the rest of the world, we should make it clear that, so far as the British Empire and British Mandated Territories are concerned, we can and will maintain order?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is certainly our intention, and I am very much surprised that the hon. Gentleman, who opposes the use of force and votes against all Forces, should put that question.

Mr. Mander

On a point of Order. Is the right hon. Gentleman entitled to make a charge against me which is entirely without foundation?

Several hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Mander

On a point of Order. May I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker, quite seriously, against the charge—I am sure quite unintentional—. which is entirely untrue, that the right hon. Gentleman made against me?

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I may have said too much, but I do not think I spoke unjustly, having regard to the hon. Gentleman's whole record in this House.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. David Adams.

Colonel Wedgwood

On a point of Order. May I ask you whether it is not in order for hon. Members to obtain from the Front Bench opposite answers to questions which deal with the questions asked, and not for Ministers to ride off on other issues?

Mr. Speaker

Answers given are very often considered by hon. Members who ask the questions to have ridden off on other issues when they are not the answers which the hon. Members would like.

Mr. David Adams

Does the Minister believe that the presence of the High Commissioner in Palestine is likely to allay these disorders now?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

It is quite obvious that the High Commissioner is responsible, through me, to this House for any action taken, particularly action over and above the ordinary law. He must confer with the General Officer Commanding and the Chief of Police before taking any exceptional measures, and receive any approval.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Government, instead of considering going back to martial law, consider the advisability of going forward with the Legislative Assembly as the real remedy for the situation in Palestine?

Mr. Speaker

That question goes beyond the questions on the Paper.