§ 62. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the size and number of ships of the British coastal fleet engaged off the coast of Palestine in preventing Jewish refugees from landing; how many ships have landed refugees in the last month; and to what extent arrangements are contemplated for transferring them to Cyprus or elsewhere?
Mr. M. MacDonaldOne division of destroyers and five Government motor launches are engaged in this patrol service. With regard to the second part of the question, I am making inquiry of the High Commissioner. With regard to the third part, I cannot add to the general statement which I made in the course of the Debate on 20th July.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman say where he expects the ships to go when the Jewish refugees are successfully driven off by the British fleet from their national home in Palestine?
Mr. MacDonaldThe hon. Member will recollect that what I said in my statement in the course of the Debate was that the situation is one in which these ships are usually captured by our patrols and taken to Palestine.