HC Deb 22 February 1939 vol 344 cc371-3
60. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement with regard to the admission of 10,000 German-Jewish refugee children to Palestine, and old persons, relatives to Jews now in that country; and whether the matter has formed the subject of any conversations at the Palestine Conference?

Mr. M. MacDonald

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statements that I have already made on this subject.

Mr. Mander

Did not the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he would take the opportunity of the conference to hold conversations on the subject?

Mr. MacDonald

The conference has not yet finished.

Mr. Mander

In view of the strong humanitarian claims for the admission of these children, will the right hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to make an appeal on humanitarian grounds to the persons now assembled in London?

Mr. Crossley

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the introduction of 292,000 Jews is a pretty fair contribution on humanitarian grounds made by Palestine?

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Has the possibility of admitting these 10,000 children to Palestine been raised with the delegates to the conference?

Mr. MacDonald

The question of immigration has been considered, and in connection with the refugee problem. Beyond this, I cannot make any statement at the present time.

Sir A. Sinclair

Has the scheme for 10,000 children been considered?

Mr. T. Williams

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman promised that he would raise the question of the 10,000 children, as distinct from the general immigration question, has the question of the 10,000 children been raised, apart from the general question?

Mr. MacDonald

I promised to keep the matter in mind. So far we have not got down to particulars of this nature. We have only got as far as genera] discussions on immigration, with special reference to the refugee problem.

Mr. Mander

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not the specific question of these 10,000 children has been mentioned to any of the delegates in London, or whether it will be?

Mr. MacDonald

I have just answered that question. We have not got down to particular details yet.