HC Deb 24 February 1943 vol 387 cc143-6
9. Mr. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to be in a position to announce the results of his negotiations with the United Nations concerning the rescue of Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe?

12. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the growing public uneasiness caused by the comparative inaction of the United Nations in succouring the tortured Jewish people of Europe; and whether he will follow precedent and suggest the appointment of someone of international experience and repute of the Nansen type to focus attention on the difficulties of the position and effect a remedy?

13. Dr. Little

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in conjunction with the Allies, he will explore further avenues of help for the Jews and seeks the assistance of neutral countries in a united effort to prevent Hitler from exterminating the Jewish race in Axis and subjugated countries?

19. Mr. William Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will initiate representations by the United Nations to the German Government to permit Jews to leave the occupied countries of Europe; offer protection to Jews liberated or escaping from the occupied territories; facilitate the transfer of Jews to, and their asylum in the territories and colonies of the United Nations; urge on neutral countries the desirability of receiving as many Jewish refugees as possible until, with victory, plans can be made for their permanent settlement; and make available the fullest possible facilities for the immigration of Jewish refugees into Palestine?

Mr. Eden

I would remind my hon. Friends of the statement made in the House by the Deputy Prime Minister on 19th January. The only truly effective means of succouring the tortured Jewish, and, I may add, the other suffering peoples of Europe, lies in an Allied victory. In devoting all their energies and resources to this end, the Governments and peoples of the United Nations are, therefore, seeking to bring relief to all the oppressed. As regards such measures of relief and rescue as may be immediately practicable, the House will recall the proposals announced by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of Palestine. These will be put into operation as rapidly as facilities can be arranged. In addition to this a considerable number of refugees of Allied nationalities have arrived and continue to arrive in this country. As regards international action, I am not yet able to say when I shall be in a position to make a statement. I do not think that Dr. Nansen's appointment by the League of Nations, which was made some considerable time after the last war, affords any useful precedent for dealing with the difficulties experienced in war-time.

Mr. Silverman

While unwilling to embarrass the Government about this matter, and fully realising that there is no great hope until an Allied victory has been won, may I ask whether it is not the case that the right hon. Gentleman assured the House that whatever contribution this country could make had better wait until it could form part of a united effort by the Allied nations? Further, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the declaration of the Allied nations was made 10 weeks ago and that many of us ate afraid that by the time the Allied nations have concerted their plans there will be nobody left to save?

Mr. Eden

I do not think it is at all true to say that nothing has been done by this country unilaterally even since the declaration was made [Interruption]. Well, that was the impression I got. My right hon. and gallant Friend's statement about Palestine clearly showed what was happening and people are still arriving here. But there are some matters, such as assurances to neutral countries, which must be done in consultation with the United Nations and can hardly be done by us alone.

Mr. Graham White

Having regard to the difficulty of making simultaneous agreements with a number of countries in advance, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would not dismiss entirely from his mind the possibility of sending an envoy to the various countries concerned with the idea of expediting negotiations?

Mr. Eden

I would not dismiss that from my mind, but I doubt myself whether it would expedite matters.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is it not true that the Jewish people are the only people on behalf of whom this House rose in mute homage, and is not that one reason, among others, why we should be allowed to have a Debate on this subject in the near future?

Mr. Eden

if I thought it would assist progress, I certainly would not oppose it. The only doubt of the House is whether such a Debate would facilitate matters.

Mr. W. Brown

Is the Minister satisfied that we are taking all the unilateral action we can? Can he do anything to expedite an announcement about multilateral action?

Mr. Eden

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman and the House will feel that this country has a pretty good record in this matter, although that does not mean to say that we would not like to improve upon it. As regards the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary Question, I am doing what I can, but this question is rather baffling in some aspects.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Is it not a fact that the Government are already taking a certain amount of action which could not be announced in the interests of the victims themselves, and possible victims?

Mr. Eden

It is true that a certain amount of negotiation is going on now which I would not like to make public.

Mr. Silverman

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that when the Colonial Secretary announced what was being done in Palestine, he expressly said, in reply to a Supplementary Question, that that formed no part of Great Britain's contribution and was not intended to do so, that it was purely Palestine's own effort, and that our contribution was being reserved so that it would form part of a united plan? Has not the time come when our effort should be made as an example to the others?

Mr. Eden

I do not think my right hon. and gallant Friend said that, and, with respect to my hon. Friend opposite, I think he is really making a distinction where there is no distinction at all. The important thing is to try and find places to which these people can go, and in that sense Palestine is obviously a contribution.