§ 24. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will inquire what happened to 20 Jewish children and eight women who were arrested at the Palestine frontier on 25th January as illegal immigrants?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes, Sir. I am inquiring into the matter.
§ 29. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to say what the basis of regulating immigration into Palestine will be after 31st March?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am not at present in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 9th February.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman see that no undue delay is caused, in view of the situation in Palestine at the moment?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI do not think the situation in Palestine affects the matter. It involves certain other considerations, which must be borne in mind.
§ Mr. Morgan JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a very serious economic depression in Palestine at the present time, attributable to the absence of a decision on this matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI do not think the economic depression is caused by this question. There is a large number of unemployed in Palestine, it is true, but the question of a decision as to the forthcoming quota involves many considerations.
§ Mr. Morgan JonesIs it not a fact that this question has tended to make people unwilling to advance money to investors in that area until they know what the policy of the Government is to be?
§ Sir Archibald SinclairDid not the Royal Commission itself point out that the continued prosperity of Palestine would depend upon the maintenance of immigration at a substantial rate?