§ 41. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many members of the Palestine Police were, at the latest convenient date, deserters or absent without leave; and how many vehicles belonging to the Palestine Police were at the same date missing as a result of theft.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsNumbers missing who have been posted as deserted or absent without leave are as follow:
§ British, five during 1947 and six since 1st January, 1948.
§ Arabs, two members of the Regular Police and 477 temporary and supernumerary policemen, during the three months ending 29th February, 1948.
§ Jews, nil.
§ As regards the last part of the Question, vehicles missing are: one armoured light reconnaissance car, two armoured cars and one 3-ton truck, all missing since 1st January, 1948.
§ Mr. MikardoWill my hon. Friend say what action he or the Palestine Government are taking to deal with this matter and, secondly, whether he knows how the British deserters are earning their livelihood, and whether any of them are now in the employ of the Arab agencies?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI can add nothing further about deserters, or those posted as absent without leave, without notice.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingDo not these numbers show that the number of deserters in the Palestine Police Force is remarkably small?
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCould my hon. Friend say whether any deserters are members of the so-called British League, Palestine branch, which circulated many Members of Parliament this morning with a highly seditious and offensive document?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI can give no further information about those posted as deserters, or as absent without leave, other than I have already given.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerCan the hon. Gentleman say by whom these vehicles were stolen?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI am not in possession of that information.