HC Deb 17 May 1939 vol 347 cc1436-7W
Colonel Wedgwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that refugees recently ordered away from Palestine waters in Greek ships have been refused permission to land in Greece, that food is exhausted, overcrowding and sanitary conditions deplorable; and will he now allow them to land in Palestine?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I am aware that the steamship "Astir" whose unsuccessful attempt to land illegal immigrants in Palestine was mentioned in my reply to the right hon. Member on 26th April, has not been allowed to land her passengers at a Greek port. I have no official information as to the conditions on board this vessel since she left Palestine. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. Grenfell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government, in connection with their forthcoming statement of policy, to allow the Mufti of Jerusalem to return to Palestine?

Mr. M. MacDonald

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government cannot lose sight of the facts, not only that the present Mufti of Jerusalem was the head of an organisation which they held responsible for the campaign of terrorism and assassination against British and Jews, but also that he is the head of a faction which has for many months past pursued persistently a similar compaign against large numbers of Arabs. They have decided, therefore, to exclude him indefinitely from Palestine.

Mr. Grenfell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has under consideration the release of those persons who have been interned in detention camps in Palestine and the re-admission of those who have been deported or excluded?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Yes, Sir. As soon as peace and order have been sufficiently restored, consideration will be given to the possibility of the early release of a number of those, Arabs and Jews alike, who have been interned under the Defence Regulations. Consideration will also then be given to the question of the re-admission to Palestine of those who have been deported or excluded in connection with the recent disturbances.