HC Deb 03 February 1943 vol 386 cc864-7
4. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the resolution of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, requesting that Palestine be opened to Jewish refugees from enemy-occupied Europe and shelter given them in the British Empire; and what statement he has to make?

Mr. Eden

I have considered the resolution of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention. The general policy of His Majesty's Government was explained to the House by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th January. As regards Palestine, I would, however, ask the hon. Member to await a statement which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is, I understand, to make at I the end of Questions.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider conferring with the Home Secretary and getting the alien Regulations modified in order to allow these people to come to this country?

Mr. Eden

This Question deals, among other things, with British Empire and Colonial territory. I thought the hon. Gentleman had Palestine in mind, and I suggest that he should wait to hear what my right hon. Friend has to say at the end of Questions.

Mr. Arthur Greenwood (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make regarding the admission to Palestine of Jewish refugees from enemy and enemy-occupied territories.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Colonel Oliver Stanley)

Yes, Sir. As stated by the Deputy Prime Minister in his answer to Questions regarding the relief of Jewish refugees on 19th January, His Majesty's Government have been working out certain practical proposals. Some weeks ago the Government of Palestine agreed to admit from Bulgaria 4,000 Jewish children, with 500 adults to accompany them on the journey. Since then the necessary negotiations have been taking place, through the Protecting Power, with Bulgaria to secure permission for exit. I am glad to tell the House that these negotiations have now been successful. Steps are being taken immediately to organise the necessary transport, but I must point out that the practical difficulties involved are likely to be considerable. Arrangements had previously been made to admit some 270 Jewish children from Rumania and Hungary, and some of these are now in transit to Palestine. It has now been decided to admit further children from these countries up to a total of 500.

His Majesty's Government will be prepared, provided the necessary transport facilities can be made available, to continue to admit into Palestine Jewish children, with a proportion of adults, up to the limits of immigration permissible for the five-year immigration period ending 31st March, 1944. The numbers involved are approximately 29,000, still available under the White Paper. The usual conditions governing immigration would have to be fulfilled. My right hon. Friend will realise that the very considerable difficulties involved in making the necessary arrangements for transport and for the accommodation and sustenance in Palestine of such large parties of refugees may limit the numbers that can be handled under this procedure.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that contribution to the solution of the problem, which the whole House feels to be one of the greatest tragedies of the war, may I ask whether he will continue to pursue investigations with a view to the emigration of Jewish refugees, particularly children, to other mandated territories and to suitable British Colonies?

Colonel Stanley

The Question applies only to Palestine. My right hon. Friend knows that in many other Colonies there are not only grave difficulties in providing food, but those Colonies have also contributed very largely to the relief of refugees from other places.

Mr. Silverman

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House, if he can, what steps have been taken to induce our new Ally, Iraq, to permit the transmigration of those refugees who have visas, and whom the Palestine Government are prepared to admit, so as to reduce the very heavy burden on transport to which he has referred?

Colonel Stanley

I think that satisfactory arrangements have now been made.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman also approach Turkey?

Colonel Stanley

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that when I speak of transport facilities and negotiations that have to be undertaken, I must be referring to Turkey.

Mr. Sorensen

Is there any necessity still to preserve the numerical limit laid down in the White Paper, and could arrangements be made for any number of Jews temporarily to reside in Palestine?

Colonel Stanley

No, Sir. I think, although this goes far beyond the limits of this Question, that it is essential, from the point of view of stability in the Middle East at the present time, that that arrangement should be strictly adhered to.

Sir Richard Acland

Do not the claims of humanity come before your quota restrictions? Why not take all you can get under all conditions?

Colonel Stanley

Winning the war is the most important thing of all.

Miss Rathbone

In view of the great difficulty of getting children in large numbers out of the enemy-occupied countries, would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider whether a larger proportion of adults could not be taken in Palestine and elsewhere, even if it is necessary on security grounds to intern them until they can be vetted?

Colonel Stanley

I do not agree that it is any- more difficult to get children out than adults, and the Jewish Agency in their conversations with me have stressed the point that the Jewish community as a whole desire to save the children first. I am prepared to accept that and act upon it.

Mr. Frankel

Would not saving the lives of many thousands of Jews also help to win the war?

Colonel Stanley

The hon. Member will realise, I hope, that I am proposing, in this, measures to save the lives of many Jews.

Mr. Silverman

In view of the trend of some of the Supplementary Questions, would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman make it clear that, in announcing this policy of the Palestine Government, he is not intending to limit the efforts made by the Government to that one, and that the Government are continuing their efforts, in consultation with the other United Powers, to see what further measures of practical constructive relief may be carried out?

Colonel Stanley

That is certainly so. This Question' and answer refer only to the part Palestine can play.