§ 43. Squadron-Leader Flemingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now consider relaxing the ban on visits to the United Kingdom by Palestinians.
§ Mr. EdeI am prepared to consider applications for the grant of visas for visits to the United Kingdom made by persons resident in Israel who possess valid passports or other equivalent travel documents that will enable them to return. Instructions to this effect will be issued within the next few days.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the Manchester area, there are a great many British subjects of Jewish origin whose grandparents, and, in some cases, parents, are living in Palestine, and who cannot get visas even to come to the weddings of their daughters and granddaughters in Manchester? Will he take steps to see that these are expedited, because a case in which one has been refused is as recent as 5th February?
§ Mr. EdeI hope the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my answer, which apparently he has not heard, and he will then find that the problem he mentions is being dealt with rapidly.
§ Mr. JannerWill my right hon. Friend also take into particular consideration the granting of facilities for students and merchants to come to this country from Israel—in order speedily to establish good relations between the two countries?
§ Mr. EdeI am anxious to give all the help I can to establishing good relations, and I hope that my hon. Friend will feel that the answer I have given goes a long way towards that objective.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill the right hon. Gentleman say why he is allowing only Israelis to come in, and is not considering people living in other party of Palestine; and will he give an assurance that in no case will ex-members of the Stern Gang be allowed in?
§ Mr. EdeI should not think that they will be able to get visas, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman can rest assured that the immigration officers know exactly how to deal with such persons should they arrive.