HC Deb 09 June 1943 vol 390 cc698-9
25. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that shelter and emigration of Jewish refugees to Palestine are being restricted through the operations of the White Paper, it is intended to amend this document in the light of prevailing war-time requirements?

Colonel Stanley

The immigration of Jewish refugees into Palestine is not being restricted through the operations of the White Paper. It is the practical difficulties involved which have prevented the admission to Palestine of Jewish refugees from enemy and enemy-occupied countries. The removal of these difficulties, as was explained to hon. Members by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 19th May, is not yet within the control of His Majesty's Government or that of the United Nations. In these circumstances, the second part of the Question does not arise.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Would not the removal of some of these difficulties be possible if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman asked Turkey, to whom we have just given five ships, to allow the use of them for some of these refugees?

Colonel Stanley

If my hon. and gallant Friend would refer to the speech of my right hon. Friend, he would see that he made' it quite plain that, although there are great difficulties with regard to transport, the primary difficulty is the refusal of the Bulgarian Government to go on with the arrangement, in breach of an agreement to which they had already come.

Miss Rathbone

Is it not a fact that, in addition to the restrictions upon immigration imposed by the White Paper, my right hon. Friend has imposed a restriction, which may prove very inconvenient, that only a very small number of the immigrants admitted may be adults? Is he considering the removal of that condition, which is not necessitated by the White Paper?

Colonel Stanley

The hon. Lady is quite misinformed. For this particular scheme a large proportion of children was required. I may say that only because of that large proportion was there any hope of the scheme being accepted by the Bulgarian Government.