§ 20. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that amongst the Jewish illegal immigrants into Palestine there are German citizens, many of whom are German spies; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this illegal traffic on that account?
Mr. M. MacDonald:Yes, Sir. Though local inquiries have not yet produced conclusive proof, the High Commissioner has strong reasons for suspecting that the passengers of two ships which about a 1962 month ago landed illegal immigrants in Palestine included German agents. These persons, together with other illegal immigrants, are held in detention camps. As regards the second part of the Question, His Majesty's Government and the Palestine Government are taking various measures to suppress the traffic in illegal immigrants.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman state exactly what he implies when he states that many of these illegal immigrants may or may not be German spies?
Mr. MacDonaldI cannot add to the answer which I have given, which was that the High Commissioner has strong reasons to suppose, from information at his disposal, that some of these people are German agents.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the Minister say how many have been detained?
§ Mr. LipsonHas my right hon. Friend any reason to believe that these German agents are Jews?
Mr. MacDonaldAs I say, we have not any conclusive proof, but from the information we have received we understand that there are strong possibilities that some of the Jewish members of these parties are German agents.