§ 18. Mr. R. Aclandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jewish persons of German nationality have been deported from Palestine to Germany since March, 1933; how many such deportations have been preceded by judicial inquiry or trial; and will he give instructions that, in future, Jewish persons of German nationality who have committed an offence should be dealt with otherwise than by deportation if possible, and that, if deportation is unavoidable, such deportation should take place to or through some country willing to grant such deportees an asylum?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreTwenty-six Jews of German nationality were deported from Palestine during the four years 1934–1937, 22 for contravention of the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance and four for other offences. A recommendation of a court is not required in all cases and I am unable to say in how many of these cases such a recommendation was made. I regret that I cannot see my way to issue instructions in the sense desired by the hon. Member. I understand that every effort is made by the Palestine Government to minimise hardship by deferring execution of the deportation order when the deportee is making efforts to find another country of asylum.
§ Mr. AclandWould the right hon. Gentleman remind the authorities that an order for deportation for Germany may be a very much more severe punishment than deportation in any ordinary circumstances?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI should make it quite clear that there is no question of deportation to Germany. We are bound under the Mandate to control immigration, and there has been a great deal of 340 illegal immigration. When an immigration order has been contravened, the immigrant must be repatriated. He cannot be sent anywhere else in the world.