§ Mr. Monslowasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement indicating to what extent the municipality and citizens of Tel-Aviv provided hospitality and entertainment for British troops in the Middle East during the war; and what official action has been taken to acknowledge these services.
§ Mr. George Hall:At the outbreak of war a Tel-Aviv Hospitality Committee was formed under the auspices of the Municipal Corporation and established the Tel-Aviv Services Club, reputed to be one of the best run volunteer welfare institutions in the Middle East. During the war over two million members of the Allied Services enjoyed the amenities of the Club. In addition, 485 private homes offered hospitality to many thousands of men in the Services. Countrywide tours were arranged for about 200,000 men. A restaurant in the Club run by volunteers and supplied through the N.A.A.F.I. catered for some 70,000 personnel monthly. Dances were arranged at regular intervals and partners volunteered from a list of 800 hostesses. Fifteen thousand hospital patients were also brought to the Services Club for recreation. A branch of the Club also catered for women members of the Services. A volunteer organisation known as the "Scopus Club" was visited by many thousands of officers during the war. Officers were put in touch with private homes in many cases and frequently entertained to tea at the Club. Omnibus companies granted a minimum fare to members of the Services; all cinemas and theatres introduced a special reduction in prices for Service personnel and arrangements were made so that such personnel did not have to queue up for tickets. Reductions were also made in hotel charges. A municipal information office was also set up which answered inquiries and assisted many thousands of personnel. The work of the Club and all other facilities were warmly appreciated by the many Servicemen who had occasion to be in Tel-Aviv. The General Officer Commanding Palestine and many senior officers visited the Club on occasions and expressed their appreciation of the volunteer work which was being done and the services of one of 160W the leading organisers received a special mention from the Commander in Chief.