Jewish Fishery School

HC Deb 17 October 1946 vol 427 cc1058-60

49. Mr. Stokes

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on whose authority five deep-sea fishing trawlers were allocated to the Jewish Aid for Palestine Committee to operate from the Hamburg district; if he will state how much fish has been landed by these trawlers; where it has gone; and whether there has been any illicit traffic in the form of export of displaced or persecuted persons by this means.

Mr. J. Hynd

The Jewish fishery school in Hamburg possesses three fishing vessels. These are of river craft type and were apparently chartered by Jewish relief agencies through direct negotiation with German owners. The catch of fish has averaged about 150 kilos a week and has been distributed to Jewish communities in Hamburg. Military Government Authority was not obtained for the establishment of the school, the allocation of the vessels or distribution of the fish, and the activities of the school have been suspended. I have been unable to obtain evidence of any unauthorised emigration of displaced or persecuted persons by this means.

Mr. Stokes

While I could not hear the first part of the reply, may I ask the Chancellor whether the sense of it was that no deep-sea going fishing vessels have been allocated to this committee?

Mr. Hynd

The answer is that the three craft in question were river craft. The catches were very small—I understand about 150 kilos a week against 3,000 tons total catch a week—and the operations have now been stopped. They were not undertaken with the authority of the Military Government.

Mr. Janner

Is not the use of such terms as "export" with regard to persecuted and displaced persons adding insult to injury to people who have already suffered all too heavily?

Major Bramall

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us why, in view of the fact that there was no impropriety in the actions that were taken, these people, who have suffered so badly, were prevented from supplementing their extremely meagre rations?

Mr. Hynd

For the reason that the ration standards have to be controlled. Certain standards are laid down. I can see no justification for allowing unrestricted fishing or other food obtaining facilities for the special purpose of supplementing the official ration of any section of the community.

Mr. Churchill

Is it to be declared a new crime for people to catch a few fish?

Mr. Hynd

On the contrary, these vessels will continue to be used for catching fish, but the catching of fish and the organisation of any other food supplies will be distributed fairly according to the accepted standards, and not for any special section of the community.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the interjection of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill), may I say that I was not raising this matter on the importation of fish but on the question of discrimination. Why are these trawlers being allotted to a particular body, and, secondly, with regard to the term "persecuted persons," is it not a fact that the term "persecutee" is not a recognised term in the House?

Mr. Janner

Why the word "export"?

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has now laid down a principle that no one is to be permitted by honest means, within the law, to add, by his own efforts, to his rations?