§ 10. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the number of persons now detained in Cyprus for attempting to land illegally in Palestine; and how many of them came from U.S.S.R. or from Soviet occupied territory.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThere were, on 21st April, 24,574 Jews detained in Cyprus. Since it is the common practice for immigrants to destroy all personal documents before interception, precise information about their countries of origin is not available, but it is known that the great majority came originally from Eastern Europe.
§ Mr. StokesThat does not answer my Question. Is it not the fact that U.N.R.R.A. reported regularly through 1946 that these people were swarming over from the Soviet area at the rate of 1,000 a day? Have the Government no knowledge of what has been happening?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsWe know that the majority came from Eastern Europe, but, as I have said, they have destroyed any identity cards or personal papers that they may have had, and it is impossible to say from what country in Eastern Europe they came.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerDoes the expression "Eastern Europe" include Poland? Is it not the case that very many have come from Polish territory?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI believe that to be the case.
§ Mr. BlackburnOught it not now to be admitted, in justice to the individual concerned, that the statement made by General Sir Frederick Morgan, which led to his dismissal, was, in fact, substantially true?
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the hon. Gentleman say how and when these people are to be transported to Palestine from Cyprus after 15th May?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThat is another question.
§ Dr. SegalCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is not possible that a large proportion of these refugees from Russia had to leave Russia on account of their anti-Communist views?
§ Sir Peter MacdonaldIs it not the fact that these Jews have been sent from Eastern Europe or the Soviet zone by the Russians with the connivance of the Americans?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThis Question deals with numbers. I have given the answer with regard to numbers. I suggest that the supplementary question of the hon. Member does not arise out of the Question on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. JannerDoes not my hon. Friend know that allegations made recently were definitely denied by an authoritative report from Cyprus, which report stated that there were no, Soviet Union people coming into Cyprus at all—or, at any rate, only a few very exceptional cases?