§ 33. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the British representative on the Advisory Commission to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency to propose that all possible assistance should be given to those Arab families, members of which were deposited in the desert Wadi Araba on 31st May after severe ill-treatment.
§ Mr. YoungerInstructions on these lines have already been sent to the British representative on the Advisory Commission, who will by now have taken the necessary action.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWhile I welcome that, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to see, at the same time, if there is anything that can be done to prevent the Israeli Army apparently adopting the same methods which the Nazis used, including the tearing out of fingernails?
§ Mr. YoungerI understand that the matter is under consideration by the Mixed Armistice Commission. There are, of course, conflicting accounts of this incident.
§ Mr. JannerMay I ask my hon. Friend to advise that these rash and wicked statements about ill-treatment should not be made, and that hon. Members should take very careful note of facts and not of fancies?
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill the Minister examine the photograph which I have in my hand of one of these men with his fingernails torn out?
§ Mr. YoungerI think that this is a matter which, if it is to be investigated. should be investigated by the Mixed Armistice Commission and not by His Majesty's Government. There are conflicting accounts, and I can make no comment as to their accuracy.