§ 41. Mr. Nallyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive a reply from the Polish authorities in the matter of the deportation order made against Sydney Stanley; and whether, pending the receipt of such reply, he will now make a formal request to the Government of Israel to consider the granting of an entry permit to Stanley in accordance with the application already made to that Government by him.
§ Mr. EdeI hope that a reply from the Polish Government will not be long delayed, but I am unable to say when it may be expected. As I explained to the House on 17th February, Mr. Sydney Stanley, according to my information, is a Pole, and I think it right to deal with him on this basis before I consider whether an approach should be made to any other Government.
§ Mr. NallyWhilst appreciating my right hon. Friend's difficulties in this matter, will he bear in mind, in considering it, that although there may be substantial doubt whether or not Mr. Stanley is a Pole, there is no doubt whatsoever about his right to enter the territory under the control of the present Government of Israel? Will he, in these circumstances, bear in mind that so long as Mr. Stanley goes, where he goes we cannot care less about?
§ Mr. EdeI cannot accept all the premises on which my hon. Friend's deductions were drawn at the end of his question.
§ Sir T. MooreIs this suggestion intended to be a punishment to Israel for breaking the standstill agreement?