§ Sir E. Spearsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what collective and other measures were taken, following upon the assassination of District Commissioner Andrews, in 1937, to put down, discourage, prevent and punish Arab terrorism in Palestine.
§ Colonel StanleyThe following measures were taken against the political organisations which in the opinion of His Majesty's Government were to be held morally responsible for this crime and similar outrages:
- (1) The Arab Higher Committee and all National Committees were declared illegal organisations.
- (2) Four members of the Arab Higher Committee and another leading Arab politician were arrested and deported.
- (3) The Mufti of Jerusalem was deposed from the Presidency of the Supreme Moslem Council and from membership and chairmanship of the General Wakf Committee in which capacity he had wide powers of control over the disposal of Wakf funds.
- (4) Nearly two hundred Arabs who were believed to be terrorists or political undesirables were arrested and interned.
- (5) Some weeks later, military courts were set up for the trial of cases of discharging firearms at any person,
1474 carrying arms, bombs, etc., sabotage and intimidation. The first two of these offences were made punishable by death.
Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a further statement regarding the measures taken to deal with the terrorist gangs operating from Palestine.
§ Colonel StanleyThere is little I can add to the reply given to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 13th December. The authorities in Palestine have continued unabated their measures to suppress the terrorists and have made a considerable number of arrests, including some important members of the terrorist groups. Since the date of my last answer, it has been reported that there has been an improvement in co-operation by the Jewish Agency. There have been no major incidents in Palestine for several months, but the danger of further incidents is not yet at an end.