§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that two armed bands of Arabs have been murdering English and Jewish police in Palestine; and will he call for an inquiry as to how they got their rifles and how far other similar Arabs have been able to obtain arms?
Mr. THOMASThe question no doubt refers to the gang of Arab bandits rounded up by the police at Jenin on the 20th November. I regret to say that in the encounter Constable R. C. V. Mott, a gallant member of the British section of the police, was killed. I have not yet received from the High Commissioner confirmation of a Press report that this gang was also connected with the recent murder of a Jewish sergeant of police. The Palestine authorities are fully alive to the importance of following up every evidence of the illicit traffic in arms by any section of the community, and I feel sure that there is no need for me to suggest any special inquiry.