§ 20. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the total cost of operating the Jewish refugee camps in Cyprus; and on which country the expenditure falls
Mr. Creech JonesThe latest available figure for the cost of the Cyprus Camps is £2½ million, for the period up to the end of November, 1947. The cost is met by the Government of Palestine.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Cyprus the general view is that the Palestine Government have not yet declared that they will foot the bill, and will he give an assurance that the British taxpayer will not have to pay if there is any difficulty?
Mr. Creech JonesI have already declared in this House that this cost must fall on the Palestine Government.
§ Mr. JannerWill not the right hon. Gentleman allow these poor people in Cyprus to go to Palestine, and then there would be no cost on anybody other than the Jewish community?
§ Major Legge-BourkeHave any steps been taken with the United Nations with a view to closing down these camps when we evacuate Palestine?
§ Major Tufton BeamishMay I ask the Minister whether any of the cost of administering these camps has fallen on the Arab community of Palestine, as that would be rather illogical?
Mr. Creech JonesThe cost is being defrayed by the Palestine Government. The money is raised by taxation, and there would be Arab taxpayers as well as Jewish.