§ 12. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether any progress can be reported with regard to allowing some of the Jews driven out of Rumania to enter Palestine; and will he also extend the same permission to Jews in Bulgaria, who have just now passed under Nazi rule, and to those in Yugoslavia before it is too late?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)The Jewish Agency have been informed that Jews in Rumania who received Palestine immigration certificates before 15th February will be admitted to Palestine, provided that satisfactory arrangements can be made to prove their identity and bonâfides. Practical arrangements for applying these safeguards are now being worked out. My Noble Friend has not received any representations regarding the position of Jewish holders of Palestine immigration certificates in Bulgaria since the German occupation of that country, but in the event of this question arising, consideration will be given to the possibility of making similar arrangements. With regard to Yugoslavia, the High Commissioner for Palestine proposes, at the request of the Jewish Agency, to issue a limited number of "replacement certificates" for veteran Zionists in that country.
§ Mr. WedgwoodIs my hon. Friend aware that the number of certificates granted in Rumania bears no relation to the number of Jews who have been exterminated in that country recently, and will he see that steps are taken to help the people concerned to find a refuge?
§ Mr. WedgwoodCan the hon. Gentleman tell me how many?