HC Deb 27 July 1938 vol 338 cc3090-2
38. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information in connection with the bomb outrage at Haifa, when 35 people were killed and 50 wounded on Monday last; what is the estimated damage done to property; and whether anyone was arrested?

39. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the most recent terrorist outrages in Palastine?

44. Sir P. Harris

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the present position in Palestine, especially as to the riots and serious loss of life on Monday, 25th July?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Early on the morning of 25th July a bomb exploded in the Arab vegetable market in Haifa. Subsequently there was some shooting and stone-throwing, and an Arab crowd began attacking Jewish shops. A curfew was imposed on the mixed quarters of the town, and troops and marines co-operated with the police in maintaining order. The total casualties during the day were 45 Arabs and four Jews killed, 45 Arabs and 13 Jews wounded. I have no information as to the extent of damage to property, nor as to any arrests made. Other recent incidents include the explosion of a bomb in an unattended car in a Tel Aviv street on 23rd July, as the result of which 23 Jews were injured; and three attacks on Jewish lorries in the north of Palestine resulting in the death of two Jewish Supernumerary Police and another Jew. A curfew has been imposed in Jenin, following the shooting of an Arab constable on 23rd July. My latest report from the High Commissioner, received this morning, states that there were no major incidents in Palestine during the previous 24 hours, and that Haifa was quiet.

Sir P. Harris

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these forces are large enough to deal with the difficult problems now existing in Palestine; and if not, will he consider increasing the police force rather than adding to the number of troops?

Mr. MacDonald

We are at present engaged in recruiting 236 extra British police. They will proceed to Palestine as soon as they are recruited.

Mr. Thorne

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show who is supplying the arms and munitions for the purpose of carrying on these outrages?

Mr. MacDonald

We have no further information regarding that.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Have all the requests received from the authorities in Palestine in connection with these outrages been complied with; have all the reinforcements which were asked for been sent, and is it proposed to incur more expenditure in the construction of the roads which are necessary for military operations?

Mr. MacDonald

All the requests that have been received have been complied with at once, or as soon as was physically possible. In regard to the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, the building of roads in the difficult territories is proceeding as rapidly as possible.

Captain Cazalet

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the bomb thrown in Haifa was of a different character from those used in other outrages? Does he know anything about the nature and character of this bomb or its origin?

Mr. MacDonald

I have no definite information regarding its origin. The only information which I have is information which has appeared in the Press. It seems to suggest, from an examination of the dead bodies, that the contents of the bomb were such that it must have been of crude local manufacture.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the Government's policy that is responsible for all this?