§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report has been received from the High Commissioner in Palestine in regard to the raising of levies, both Arab and Jew; whether this movement of auxiliary police or armed levies is being encouraged and to what extent is it known that arms and ammunition are now in the possession of both Jews and Arabs in large quantities; and what steps have been taken to impose such penalties for the possession of arms held illegally, such as expulsion from the country, which would induce all inhabitants of Palestine to surrender their weapons.
§ Colonel StanleyI am uncertain to what report my hon. and gallant Friend refers; if he has in mind the enlistment of Palestinians in the various formations of the Palestine Police, the position is that both Arabs and Jews are eligible for service in certain branches of the Force. It is known that certain quantities of arms and ammunition are in the possession of Arabs and Jews; and as a result of the recent outbreaks of terrorism in Palestine the Emergency Regulations which imposed the death penalty for carrying arms and sabotage have been reintroduced.