§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the reasons for which Arab houses in Palestine have been blown up; in how many towns or villages this dynamiting has taken place; on what principle the dwellings have been singled out for destruction; how many persons have been rendered homeless; whether this policy of destruction was authorised by His Majesty's Government before it was put into execution; and whether he will order these dynamiting operations to be forthwith discontinued and the settlement of disputes by conciliatory methods substituted for it?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreHouses may be demolished in Palestine if a District Commissioner is satisfied that a firearm has been discharged or a bomb or other explosive or incendiary substance thrown from them. Further any house may be demolished in any town, quarter, village or other area, the inhabitants of which a District Commissioner is satisfied have committed, aided or abetted any offence involving violence to the person or intimidation or sabotage. I have no information as to the number of towns or villages in which such action has been taken or as to the number of persons560W affected. The regulations authorising demolition in the circumstances which I have mentioned were approved by His Majesty's Government. With regard to the last part of the question, I can only say that there is no intention of altering the law.