HC Deb 19 January 1943 vol 386 cc32-3
47. Mr. Martin

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to take any measures for the relief of Jewish refugees on the Continent of Europe; and, if so, of what nature?

50. Mr. Graham White

asked the Prime Minister what action has been taken pursuant to the declared policy of the Government in regard to the massacre of Jews, to remove obstacles to entry into Great Britain and the Colonies of such refugees as may be able to reach our shores on territory under our control?

108. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to rescuing Jews seeking escape from Hitler and also reinforcing man-power for military service, industry and war production in Palestine, where a shortage of labour exists, it is intended to permit the immediate immigration into that country of an additional 50,000 Jews?

Mr. Attlee

His Majesty's Government's intention, in associating themselves with the Allied Governments' declaration of 17th December on the German policy of exterminating the Jews in Europe, was to help in arresting this policy. They are, at the same time, conscious of the fact that the only real remedy for the consistent Nazi policy of racial and religious persecution lies in an Allied victory; every resource of all the Allied nations must be bent towards this supreme object.

Measures for the rescue and relief of such refugees as succeed in escaping from German-occupied territory cannot be exclusively British, and His Majesty's Government are now engaged in consultations with the other Governments most immediately concerned with a view to seeing what further measures it is possible to take, as soon as possible, to assist those who make their way to countries beyond German control. These consultations are necessarily confidential and it would not be in the interest of the refugees themselves to enter upon any discussion of them at the present juncture. His Majesty's Government's share in meeting this need has already been very substantial. They are, nevertheless, themselves working out certain practical proposals which they can make as a further contribution to this concerted effort by the United Nations.

Mr. Martin

While I thank my right hon. Friend, will he bear in mind the necessity and the urgency of speed in this matter?

Mr. Attlee

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Mr. Graham White

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that the people of this country in this crisis will not be satisfied that the action to be taken by this country should be dependent upon the action of others, and that they will expect this Government to take any action it thinks fit because it is right, in the hope that that action will be an example and facilitate negotiations with other countries?

Mr. Attlee

If my hon. Friend will study my answer, I think he will see that the Government are not only working on plans of their own but are also taking steps with the other United Nations. I am sure he realises that the magnitude of this problem is such that it needs the work of more than one country.

Mr. Sorensen

Would it be possible to have some outline of the plans which may be arrived at by the United Nations at an early date?

Mr. Attlee

As I have pointed out, that would not be in the best interests of the refugees themselves.