50. Colonel Sandeman Allenasked the Minister of Health how many alien refugees were in receipt of public assistance to the latest available date?
§ Mr. BernaysI regret that the information desired is not available.
§ 6. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Prime Minister whether he will inquire from His Majesty's Minister at Athens as to the conditions on board the "Astir" and three other Greek ships loaded with refugees who have been refused permission to land in Palestine and now refused permission to re-land in Greece, particularly as to the condition of the women and children on board these vessels; and what can be done for them?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Ministers at Athens and Bucharest are making every effort, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, to arrange that the passengers on board the steamship "Astir" should be allowed to return to the Rumanian port at which they embarked. His Majesty's Government have no information regarding the present whereabouts of the other ships which have attempted to land passengers illegally in Palestine.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAre the Government making any efforts to see that these people are maintained alive on board this ship until it is decided whether they can go to Rumania or to Palestine?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are doing what we can, but we have no direct responsibility for supplies on board this ship.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDoes the right hon. Gentleman recollect the case of the Jews who were stranded in the middle of the Danube, and whom the Government arranged should go to Palestine in similar circumstances?
§ Commander Locker-LampsonIs there room for them in British Guiana?