HC Deb 14 December 1938 vol 342 cc1975-6
56. Mr. V. Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now grant facilities for the 10,000 German-Jewish children, for whom homes have already been found by the Jewish Agency to enter Palestine?

76. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet given permission for the admission of 10,000 Jewish children from Germany to Palestine?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the House is aware, His Majesty's Government have invited representatives of the Palestinian Arabs and of the Governments of neighbouring countries, and representatives of the Jewish Agency to come to London for discussions on future policy in Palestine, including immigration. Strong suggestions have been made to the Government from Arab quarters that immigration should be completely stopped pending these discussions. His Majesty's Government felt unable to agree to this suggestion since to make any alteration in the existing rate of immigration now would be to prejudice the position regarding one of the main subjects for discussion in London. His Majesty's Government attach great importance to these discussions and, for the same reason, they cannot agree that authority should be given for the immediate additional immigration of 10,000 young Jews.

This does not necessarily mean that the request is being permanently refused. Immigration is a subject which will be considered in the course of the discussions in London, which it is hoped may begin in the course of next month. I understand that, if it is desirable that these children should leave Germany in the meantime, they can be received in this country under the various schemes which are now being operated for the care of Jewish child refugees, if the refugee organisations can guarantee their maintenance. I should add that considerable numbers of young refugees from Germany are at present being admitted into Palestine under the existing arrangements, both as dependants and as students proceeding to recognised educational institutions, including agricultural training centres.

Mr. Adams

As this is a matter of extreme urgency, will my right hon. Friend see that one or other of the means suggested is used to get these children out of their present environment with the greatest possible speed?

Mr. MacDonald

That is a matter, in the first place, for the organisations which are doing this work in the country to-day.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these children in Germany in many cases are in really terrible conditions, without adult protection and without the means of finding food, and is he aware that the machinery of the Home Office for granting visas is so inadequate that the visas cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities to save their lives?

Mr. MacDonald

All these factors have been borne in mind in reaching this decision. So far as the children coming to camps or other accommodation in this country are concerned, the authorities are doing everything possible to expedite the bringing of the children into this country.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Seeing that the only large-scale outlet for the children, who can immediately be received, is in Palestine, will not the right hon. Gentleman ask the Arab leaders, as an act of charity to these children, to allow them to come in?