HC Deb 24 February 1949 vol 461 cc2014-5
70. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the difficult situation of 30 Palestinian Arab students whose families are now homeless and destitute and unable to support them at the universities in this country at which they are studying; and if he will endeavour to assist them.

Mr. Tomlinson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 17th February.

Mr. Driberg

As I have not that reply before me, can my right hon. Friend tell me whether he is able, in consultation with the British Council or otherwise, to solve this difficult but sad problem, which is just one small aspect of the general refugee problem in Palestine?

Mr. Tomlinson

The purport of the previous answer shows that we have done our best in this country, first, through the National Assistance Board and, secondly, by referring to the Governments of the Arab States those who came here on their own initiative.

Earl Winterton

Surely, in view of the enormous sums of money quite rightly spent by His Majesty's Government in rescuing the Jewish refugees, it is possible for the right hon. Gentleman to find the small sum of money required in this instance? Is he aware that if he does not, his attitude will be much criticised by Arab friends of this country in Arab countries?

Mr. Tomlinson

I do not see how my attitude can be criticised; I have not any money anyway.

Earl Winteron

That is a frivolous answer to a serious question.

Mr. Pickthorn

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury about the possibility of a small, possibly unofficial committee of the Treasury, his office and the Foreign Office? In view of the obviously immense strength of this case, both on humanitarian grounds and on mere grounds of political tactics, does he not think that it is really urgent now that something should be done, and done by the Government as a whole, without any riding off on this money point?

Mr. Tomlinson

Certainly, and if that had been the question put to me, I would have given a serious answer, but when it is assumed that I have no sympathy with something over which I have no control individually, I have nothing to say.

Mr. Driberg

While fully appreciating that my right hon. Friend personally is sympathetic, may I ask whether his original supplementary answer means that these students will be able to complete their university courses here?

Mr. Tomlinson

It means that we have already made it possible for some of them to complete the course. Others might be eligible for national assistance. My supplementary means that I am prepared to explore further ways in which we can meet the remainder.