§ Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the appeal from the Arab Women's Committee in Jerusalem concerning the plight of Arab women and children left destitute in villages wrecked by punitive operations; whether he has any information concerning the lack of provision made for the families of Arab deportees; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking to remedy this situation and prevent further exacerbation of Anglo-Arab friendship?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have seen the appeal in question. I assume that when the petitioners speak of "villages wrecked by punitive operations," what they have in mind is the punitive demolition of individual houses. The Arabs deported to the Seychelles are maintained at the expense of the Government of Palestine. As regards the last part of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the statements which have been made on general policy in Palestine.