HC Deb 10 November 1943 vol 393 cc1151-4
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Colonel Oliver Stanley)

The Statement of Policy relating to Palestine which was issued as a White Paper in May, 1939, provided for the admission to Palestine of 75,000 Jewish immigrants during the period of five years ending 31st March, 1944, subject to the criterion of the economic absorptive capacity of the country. It was contemplated that there should be an annual quota of 10,000 and, in addition, as a contribution towards the solution of the Jewish refugee problem, 25,000 refugees would be admitted as soon as adequate provision for their maintenance was assured.

The war has prevented the fulfilment of this programme. The number of Jews who entered Palestine legally or illegally up to 30th September, 1943, against the total of 75,000 to be admitted under the existing quota system is 43,922. There are thus 31,078 who, it may be fairly assumed, would have reached it before 31st March, 1944, but for the exigencies of the war. His Majesty's Government have been considering this position, and have reached the conclusion that it would be inequitable to close the doors of Palestine to these persons on account of the time factor. No effort will be lacking on the part of His Majesty's Government to facilitate their arrival, subject to the criterion of economic absorptive capacity.

Earl Winterton

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend make it clear, in order to avoid disappointment, that one of the great difficulties about moving refugees to Palestine or anywhere else is the question of shipping and that that will not necessarily become easier in the next few months?

Colonel Stanley

I am glad my noble Friend has raised that point. I hope nobody will think that because of this there is any guarantee that these unfortunate people will be able to reach Palestine. All we have done is to remove what might be a legal obstacle.

Sir Percy Harris

But will the Government make it as easy as possible, in view of the unfortunate position of these people?

Colonel Stanley

The chief obstacle is the domination of Hitler over Europe.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that in this connection Jews come first?

Miss Rathbone

While I recognise the value of the concession which has been made, would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman let us know whether the Government also intend to remove the restriction on the number of adults entering on the immigration quota, as hitherto the fact that the majority have to be children with only accompanying adults has been the greatest obstacle to the entry of the permitted number?

Colonel Stanley

That is quite a different question. Perhaps the hon. Lady will put it down.

Mr. Pickthorn

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's declaration to be taken as settling the question of principle that rations of immigration can be kept over from year to year and accumulated?

Colonel Stanley

I am not sure that I quite appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point. I think that this settles no question of principle but merely one of equity. Something which would have happened under the White Paper but for the war has been put right.

Mr. Pickthorn

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman really clear to the House in his distinction between principle and equity; and is not the question quite clear—does this or does it not settle as a matter of principle, that where a maximum quota of immigration is fixed for a year any number not reached in that year can be carried on to the next year, and the next year, and so on indefinitely?

Colonel Stanley

I am afraid that I still do not see the hon. Gentleman's point. The quota system would come to an end at the end of March, and there was no question, therefore, of succeeding years. All that this settles is that those who did not get in by 31st March, because they were prevented by the war, will not be kept out because of that fact.

Mr. Mack

Having regard to the expected improvement in the military position in that area and elsewhere, is it possible that a number of these refugees may be subsequently saved, and should not greater facilities be accorded to them to enter Palestine as soon as practicable?

Colonel Stanley

We do what we can. I am afraid I cannot forecast as optimistically as the hon. Gentleman the future course of military events in that area.

Mr. Mack

Do I understand the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to mean that after having discharged what he regards as his obligation to these 30,000 odd Jews to enter Palestine, no further numbers would enter in any circumstances?

Colonel Stanley

That is quite a different matter.

Mr. Hammersley

Is it inherent in the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's statement that additional shipping facilities will be given to the 32,000 as and when shipping facilities are available?

Colonel Stanley

The hon. Gentleman must realise that the difficulty at the moment is that these unfortunate people are not allowed to leave.

Miss Rathbone

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give early attention to the point which I raised about permitting adults to enter within the limits of the White Paper number, as often it is easier for adults to escape than for children to secure permission to leave?

Colonel Stanley

Perhaps the hon. Lady will have a word with me afterwards.