Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Arabs formerly in possession of land in Palestine are now landless as the result of the sale of the whole of their land to Jewish immigrants; and if it is known how many of these persons are unemployed?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThis statistical information is not in my possession; but I am addressing an inquiry to the High Commissioner.
Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Arabs are known to have entered Palestine during the last three years; and how many of these are being employed by the Government?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORERecorded Arab immigration into Palestine in the years 1933 to 1935 consists of 1,950 persons, not including Egyptians who number 450. Of these 356 are at present employed by the Palestine Government, all except 13 being1778W daily paid workers. In addition to immigrants, temporary and seasonal migrations cause flow and ebb of some thousands of men across the frontiers each year. No reliable estimate of their numbers at any time of the year can be supplied, though during the harvest season their numbers are large.
Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the increase in the Arab population in Palestine since 1922; and in what parts of Palestine has this increase chiefly taken place?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Arab population is estimated to have increased during the years 1922 to 1935 by about 270,000. The largest proportional increase has been in the towns of Haifa, Jerusalem and Jaffa and in the coastal districts where citrus cultivation predominates.