HC Deb 28 June 1939 vol 349 cc403-4
63. Mr. MacLaren

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many bomb explosions have taken place in the market place in Haifa since June, 1938; also the number of killed and wounded in each explosion, indicating in each case, the number of women, men and children sufferers?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Three bomb explosions have taken place in the vegetable market in Haifa since June, 1938. The casualties caused by these explosions were as follow: On 6th July, 1938, 21 persons were killed and 61 wounded; on 26th July 53 persons were killed and 45 wounded; and on 19th June of this year, 18 persons were killed and 24 wounded. I am unable to say how many. of these were men, women and children.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us the nationality of these victims?

Mr. MacDonald

I should require notice before dividing them up, but, as far as my recollection goes, the great majority were Arabs.

64 and 65. Mr. MacLaren

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what official inquiries have been made into the bomb explosions in Haifa; and whether, as a result of these inquiries, he is in a position to state who were the persons directly responsible for these criminal acts;

(2) whether the bomb explosions in Haifa were within the vicinity of the police station; and what precautions were taken by the police to prevent the recurrence of the explosions?

Mr. MacDonald

I have received no detailed reports covering the points raised in these questions, but am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine for full information.