63. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make regarding recent disorder and murder in Palestine and the recent steps taken to deal with the situation?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI regret to state that there were yesterday further serious acts of violence in a number of centres in Palestine, details of which have appeared in the Press. His Majesty's Ship "Repulse" is remaining at Haifa, and 20 officers and 254 men have been landed from her to assist in the work of maintaining order. The 1st Battalion Irish Guards arrived in Palestine yesterday, and the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment are due there to-day. The First Squadron 11th Hussars, an armoured car regiment, are arriving in Palestine tomorrow and the other two squadrons on the following day. As I said in answer to questions yesterday, I am in communication with the High Commissioner regarding the recruitment of additional police.
§ Mr. McGovernCan the right hon. Gentleman say how much of this is traceable to the activities of Mussolini and Hitler, and whether the reports in the Press that a large number of revolvers and wire-cutting implements have been found with German marks on them are true?
Mr. MacDonaldWith regard to the first part of the question, I have no evidence that leads to that conclusion. With regard to the second part, I have no information.