Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in the recruiting campaign organised by the Jewish Agency in Palestine some weeks ago, Jewish newspapers were not allowed to print any account of the various recruiting meetings and demonstrations; why in leaflets appealing for recruits any appeal to Jewish national feeling had to be omitted; why newly enlisted Jewish recruits not yet in uniform but assisting in the campaign were forbidden to wear the blue-white armlets; and whether he will institute a different policy as such acts are not calculated to inspire respect for British administration by people gravely menaced by the war?
731W
§ Mr. George HallIt is not the case that a censorship ban was imposed on the publication by Jewish papers of descriptions of parades, meetings and rallies held last autumn to stimulate Jewish recruitment, and in fact all these papers devoted much space to such accounts. The leaflets prepared by the Jewish Agency for the campaign were approved by the military authorities and issued without material alteration. As regards the third part of the Question, the armlets proposed by the Jewish Agency for attested recruits were white with blue lettering. The Agency agreed to a request that a narrow red strip should be added to make it clear through the combination of colours that the recruits were joining the British Army, and such armlets were in fact worn. In view of these facts, the fourth part of the Question does not arise.