HC Deb 08 December 1948 vol 459 cc371-2
17. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken to ascertain details of the sums held in the Palestine Government account in respect of court deposits; what results have been obtained; and when does he propose to refund the deposits.

Mr. Rees-Williams

The approximate amount held in Palestine Government Account in respect of the court deposits is £175,000. Since detailed records of the deposits in question were handed over to the local authorities on the termination of the Mandate, it is not practicable to make any arrangements to release the deposits until they can be verified from these records and arrangements can be made to refund deposits, where due, through the successor authorities to the former Government of Palestine.

Mr. Janner

Could my hon. Friend say whether these are sums which are being deposited on the instruction of the court or whether he has taken any steps at all to ascertain what these sums are? Would he be prepared to consider the direct claims of the people ordered by the courts to pay these sums into court?

Mr. Rees-Williams

This matter is now in the hands of the Palestine courts and we cannot take steps to verify records which are in the possession of the Palestine courts, but when they are verified and authorised the amount is still available to be paid out.

Mr. Janner

Is not my hon. Friend aware that while this matter is in the hands of the Palestine courts, the money is in the hands of the Colonial Office? Is he prepared to hand out that money to the Palestine courts so that it could be distributed to the proper persons?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I have explained in my answer to the hon. Member the conditions under which the money would be paid out.