§ 15. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the several hundred illegal immigrants into Palestine, who were detained as suspected German agents, have been charged with this offence; and with what result?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)As I made clear in my reply to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 20th March, only a portion of the illegal immigrants recently landed in Palestine who are held in detention camps are suspected of being German agents. While the High Commissioner has strong reasons for his suspicions, inquiries have not yet produced conclusive proof.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the High Commissioner is likely to obtain sufficient evidence?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI could not say.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this suspicion casts grave reflection upon large numbers of people; and does he not think it is incumbent on the High Commissioner at the earliest possible moment to clear those who are not in any way identified in spying on behalf of Germany or anybody else?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI am sure that the High Commissioner will share that wish, but in present circumstances it may not be possible to get conclusive proof, and we must give the benefit of the doubt to the State in those circumstances.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not the case that certain Jewish organisations have offered to do everything in their power to prevent these German agents getting in, and that their offer of assistance has not been taken up by the Colonial Office?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI am not aware of that, and I am certain that if offers of help have been made they have been accepted.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many are detained under suspicion of being German agents?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI am not sure that it would be desirable to give the exact figures, but I will give as full information as I can.
§ Mr. MaxtonIs it not the case that Socialists who are not German agents are being held in gaol without trial and without evidence?
§ Mr. LipsonHas the High Commissioner given my right hon. Friend the evidence on which he bases his suspicion that some of these immigrants are German agents, and if not, will my right hon. Friend ask for it?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI have seen a certain amount of the evidence, but I am not certain I have seen everything. On the evidence which I have seen I entirely agree with the action which the High Commissioner has taken.