§ Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the number of illegal immigrants, men, women and children, into Palestine which 2035W will be deducted from future immigration schedules, and from which category of schedules will the deduction be made; from labour, or from the 25,000 refugee dependants; and whether he has any figures as to the total number of illegal immigrants who have entered during the last six months, as compared with the total number of legal immigrants during the same period, distinguishing men, women and children?
§ Sir T. InskipA deduction of 1,300 persons has been made in respect of the immigration quota for the six-monthly period 1st April to 30th September, 1939.This deduction represents the ascertained number of illegal immigrants who succeeded in entering Palestine from the beginning of the period until the latest date on which their numbers were assessed. I am not aware how many of these were men, women and children respectively, but my right hon. Friend is asking the High Commissioner whether this information can be supplied. With regard to future immigration quotas, deductions will be made in respect of any number of illegal immigrants who may have succeeded in entering Palestine during the preceding quota period. It is naturally not possible to predict what deductions may be necessary. The deductions will be applied proportionately to the ordinary and refugee immigration quotas.
My right hon. Friend has not the information asked for in the last part of the question, but he is asking the High Commissioner whether it can be supplied.