§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the destruction by British troops of houses in towns and villages in Palestine is by his orders and has his approval; whether such destruction has in any cases been carried out without evidence that the houses destroyed were in fact occupied by terrorists; and what steps are taken to ensure that such destruction does riot defeat the object intended by rendering homeless able-bodied men who in consequence take to the hills and join the terrorist bands?
Mr. M. MacDonaldDemolitions of houses are carried out by virtue of the powers conferred by Regulation 19 (b) (I) of the Regulations made by the High Commissioner under Article IV (4) of the Palestine Defence Order-in-Council, 1931. This Regulation, as amended, is as follows
It shall he lawful for a District Commissioner to appropriate on behalf of the High Commissioner any house, building or construction from which he is satisfied that a firearm has been discharged or a bomb or other explosive or incendiary substance thrown, or any house, building construction or grove or other vegetation situated in any town, quarter, village or other area the inhabitants of which he is satisfied have committed, aided or abetted any offence involving violence to the person or intimidation, or any of the offences specified in Regulation 8 (b) of these Regulations actual offenders being unknown to him; and where any house, building or construction is appropriated as aforesaid it shall be forfeited to the High Commissioner without compensation and may be demolished or may be disposed of in any other manner which the District Commissioner may direct.I am satisfied that the authorities in ordering demolitions of houses have not overlooked the consideration referred to in the last part of the question. I accept full responsibility for regulations issued under the Defence Order-in-Council.
Mr. T. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the country of origin of the greater proportion of the arms found on Arab terrorists arrested in Palestine during the recent operations?
Mr. M. MacDonaldNo, Sir. I have received no recent information on this subject, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report.