§ Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jews in Palestine are at the present time in prison under the Prevention of Crimes Ordinance or under the emergency regulations under the following heads: Communists, Revisionists, and others, respectively, distinguishing men and women; and whether there are any others held in gaol without trial, for whom in this country writs of habeas corpus would be available?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThere are no Jews detained under the Prevention of Crime Ordinance. Of the 148 Jews detained; under Emergency Regulation 15B, 141972W men and eight women are Communists, and 119 men and three women Revisionists. The four others are men.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. Lambertasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the number of Arabs and Jews, respectively, in Palestine in the year 1918, and the latest available date?
Mr. M. MacDonaldNo figures of population for the year 1918 are available, but it is estimated that in 1919 there were approximately 635,000 Arabs and 58,000 Jews in Palestine. The estimated figures at the end of March, 1939, were 1,113,000 Arabs and 422,000 Jews.
§ Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the negotiations with the Tel Aviv Marine Trust with regard to the definition of its status and rights since the 18th May, 1938?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have now under consideration a report which I have recently received from the High Commissioner regarding the request made by the Marine Trust, Limited, for the modification of the terms on which the construction of the port at Tel Aviv as a private concern was originally sanctioned.