HC Deb 20 December 1928 vol 223 cc3269-70W
Captain FOXCROFT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of Palestinian emigrants resident abroad; whether the Palestinian Nationality Law was published through the recognised channels for their information; how many of these made options for Palestinian nationality: and how many have been granted certificates of Palestinian nationality?

Mr. AMERY

I am not aware of the number of persons born in Palestine, but now resident abroad, nor would it be possible to obtain accurate information on this point as they are scattered in several continents. The Palestinian Citizenship Order-in-Council was published in the Palestine Gazette. I will ask the High Commissioner to supply the figures asked for in the last two parts of the question.

Captain FOXCROFT

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether 30,000 Palestinian emigrants, who are Palestinian by origin, race, and sentiment, have been refused their rights as nationals in Palestine; and why a large number of these were not informed with regard to the limits of time fixed for their application?

Mr. AMERY

I am not aware of the number of persons born in Palestine who have not acquired Palestinian citizenship. As regards the second part of the question, the Palestinian Citizenship Order-in-Council, which prescribed a time limit for applications as fixed by the Treaty of Lausanne, was published in the Palestine Gazette. It was of course not possible to bring it to the notice of individual emigrants who are scattered throughout the world and of whose names and addresses the Palestine Government naturally have no record.