HC Deb 10 May 1939 vol 347 cc464-6
37. Mr. Wedgwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has inquired into the killing of a refugee and the wounding of two others on board the Greek ship "Aghios Nicolaos" which was carrying refugees to Palestine; whether motor-boats employed by the Palestinian Government were involved; how many refugees were landed from the this ship; and what has happened to this ship?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I apologise for the length of the reply. I have inquired into the action taken by the Palestine Government with regard to this ship, and the facts are as follow:

On 31st March at 11.30 p.m. a ship was observed by a police launch within Palestine territorial waters, steaming slowly without lights. When a quarter of a mile off the coast the ship stopped, whereupon she was challenged by the police launch which had approached within 50 yards. On sighting the launch the ship immediately started moving, and failed to respond to a signal to heave to. The police launch then fired a white Verey light for illumination, and as the vessel still showed no signs of stopping, the commander fired his revolver across the bows of the vessel and subsequently into the ship itself, which was drawing rapidly away. The launch followed the ship until sight of her was lost outside the territorial limits. During the encounter no passengers were seen on the ship, but on deck in front of the bridge was a large pile of wooden cases believed to contain arms which had been reported as in transit to Palestine. The action taken by the police launch was in accordance with Section 170 of the Palestine Customs Ordinance, 1929. No passengers were landed from the ship. But the Palestine authorities later received a report that a ship called the "Aghios Nicolaos" arrived at the port of Kandia in Crete on 4th April with 687 Jews from Rumania on board, and that when fired upon by a coastguard vessel off Palestine a few days previously two passengers had been wounded, one of whom had subsequently died. I have no other information confirming this report. If it is true I regret that the illegal activity of this ship should have resulted in the death of an individual.

Colonel Wedgwood

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will have inquiry made at the port where the ship was entering into these casualties, and if they are found to be correct, will he take action as regards the firing on this ship? I understand there is no martial law in Palestine, and, therefore, I request that the right hon. Gentleman should have a strict inquiry made into this action, which is typical—[Interruption]. I beg to give notice that I intend to ask for leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this matter at the end of Questions.

44. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the hardship and suffering from which many of the original party died during their voyage to Palestine, it is intended to permit the remaining 182 refugees now in quarantine in Haifa to remain in the country?

Mr. MacDonald

The case of these people is still under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to say what decision will be taken in regard to them. As the hon. Member is aware, they are now in quarantine.

Mr. Crossley

If these people are allowed to remain in Palestine will their numbers be set against the number of legal immigrants in the future?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir, that is the policy of the Government.

Mr. T. Williams

Are not these so-called illegal immigrants actually less illegal than the action of His Majesty's Government who have set aside the original "economic absorptive capacity" policy?

Mr. MacDonald

This immigration in Palestine is definitely illegal. As regards policy, that is a matter of opinion, but I cannot agree to the implication in the hon. Gentleman's question.

Mr. Crossley

Has not the economic absorptive capacity already been exceeded?

Mr. David Adams

When does the Minister anticipate that a decision will be arrived at?

Mr. MacDonald

I expect at an early date.

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