§ Mr. Edelman(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies: If he has any further information concerning the two British sergeants in Palestine?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Creech Jones)It is with deep regret that I confirm the reports which have been current during the past 24 hours that the two British sergeants, Paice and Martin, abducted at Nathanya on 12th July, have been murdered by Jewish terrorists.
I received today the following telegram from the High Commissioner for Palestine:
Most deeply regret to inform you that the two bodies were found at 9 o'clock this morning in an eucalyptus grove at Umm Uleiqa, near Beit Lid. They were hanging from two trees. Notices were pinned to the bodies saying that the men had been hanged by the National Military Organisation as British spies. The first body was cut down by an Army captain, and as he bent over it a small bomb exploded, injuring him in the face. The surrounding area was found to have been mined.In the long history of violence in Palestine there has scarcely been a more dastardly act than the cold-blooded and calculated murder of these innocent young men after holding them as hostages for more than a fortnight. I can only express what I know to be the deep feelings of horror and revulsion shared by all of us here at this barbarous crime. I am sure that this House would also wish me to convey their most sincere sympathy with the families and friends of the murdered men in the anguish they have endured during the days of waiting and now in their irreparable loss.His Majesty's Government also pay tribute to the Services in Palestine for their courage and good bearing in conditions of risk and arduous responsibility.
Such an outrage against men discharging a service in fulfilment of international obligations is not only abhorrent in the eyes of all civilised persons everywhere, but must surely mean the final condemnation of the terrorists in the eyes of all their own people. We can only hope that this latest act will stir the Jewish community in Palestine to root out this evil from their midst.
§ Mr. EdelmanIn view of those terrible facts, will the Minister take unrelenting steps to see to it that both the authors and the inspirers of this horrifying crime are brought to justice? Will he also see that the dependants of the innocent victims are properly cared for?
§ Mr. Creech JonesThe High Commissioner, the police and the military authorities will do and are doing everything in their power to secure that end. I will, of course, consult my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in regard to the second part of the Question.
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyMight I first of all associate all my right hon. and hon. Friends with the expression of sympathy that the right hon. Gentleman has expressed towards the families of the victims of this dastardly outrage? The father of one of the boys, as in the case of the hon. Member who asked the Question, is in my constituency. May I also associate all Members on this side of the House with the expressions of gratitude which the right hon. Gentleman has offered to all our people in Palestine who are having to go through these extremely difficult and dangerous times?
Then, Mr. Speaker, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether he realises that we, on this side of the House, have refrained from asking for any Debate on this matter as long as any hope existed; but now that the final tragic news is confirmed, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be impossible for this House to adjourn for some months without a discussion in which the right hon. Gentleman could state fully what steps the Government intended to take, in view of this challenge to all authority?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI think that the question put to me in regard to the possibility of some discussion on this matter must be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingCould the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether there has been any expression of horror at this outrage by the Jewish Agency, on behalf of the Jewish people?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI can only say that so far I have not seen any official statement from the Agency.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I, speaking for nobody but myself and as one who has taken his share in trying to awaken public sympathy for what I regard as a just cause, feel that I ought to express my own sense of deep shame and humiliation that this cause should have been so stained with innocent blood.
§ Mr. GallacherWhile I join with the others in expressions of feeling about this terrible event and sympathy with the families of the victims, I would like to ask the Minister if he will see to it that special consideration is given to the families of these sergeants? If a man is killed while doing his duty, his mother is not entitled to any consideration unless she passes a means test. I would ask that there shall be no means test, so far as these men's dependants are concerned, but that special consideration be given to their families.
§ Mr. JannerMay I, also, as one who frequently advocates the justice of the Zionist cause, express my very deep horror and my deep sympathy with the relatives? May I say that there is no question at all that the whole Jewish community in this country and elsewhere—the Jewish Agency and the Zionist Federation—regard this dastardly deed with horror?
§ Mr. Creech JonesDuring the periods of the search certain areas were cordoned off and very strong security measures were taken. I think that position applies in certain areas at the present time.
§ Mr. Creech JonesI have just answered that since these men have been kidnapped strong security measures have been taken in certain areas. I believe that there are still areas where the special defence regulations operate.