HC Deb 05 November 1945 vol 415 cc895-6
46. Mrs Ayrton Gould

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of making provision for Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, he will make a statement on short-term policy of immigration into Palestine before he goes to America

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 30th October, in which I said that I was not yet in a position to say when a statement would be made but that it would be made as soon as possible.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

Is the Prime Minister aware that the continued silence of His Majesty's Government makes it impossible for the loyal Jews in Palestine to exercise any control over the terrorists?

Mr. Attlee

I do not accept that for a moment. I cannot see that a matter of waiting for a day or two is any excuse whatever for resort to violence.

Mr. Janner

Surely the right hon. Gentleman knows that since 1939 there has been in existence a White Paper which has been declared time after time to be illegal, and that it is not fair to make the people in Palestine wait further for permitted immigration in view of what was decided by the Mandates Commission..

Mr. Attlee

I have already said that a statement will be made. There can be no excuse whatever for not giving a reasonable time to allow a statement to be made and in any case there is no excuse for violence.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

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