§ 30. Dr. Barnett Strossasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the illegal Jewish immigrants, at present detained in Cyprus, will be at liberty to leave the island after 15th May.
§ 33. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the transfer of Jewish refugees, interned in Cyprus, to Palestine.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsIt has already been made clear that these persons must be removed from British territory before the final withdrawal from Palestine. The precise arrangements to be made after termination of the Mandate are now under discussion and I am not at present in a position to make a further statement.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyCan the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no cost will be borne by the British taxpayer in transferring these people back to Palestine?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe responsibility is on the people who wish to take them away. I do not anticipate that there will be any cost to the British taxpayer.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWould the hon. Gentleman also give an assurance that no British ships will be involved in this process.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI cannot give that assurance at the moment.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingCan the hon. Gentleman tell us whether, when he deals with these illegal immigrants from Cyprus, he will also consider those detained in Kenya and in other parts of Africa?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThat is a matter which is under consideration at the moment.
Mr. VaneIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that no arms are concealed in these camps, and will he be sure that when 2110 these people do leave for Palestine they will be searched for arms?
§ Mr. HareWould the hon. Gentleman say what is the intention with regard to those people who do not wish to leave Cyprus? What are the Government going to do about them?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI am not aware that there are any. So far as I am aware they all wish to leave, and that question may not, therefore, arise.