Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the strike in the American colony in Jerusalem of 33 Arab workers for the last 30 days because of the dismissal of two men for organising and trying to secure improvements in conditions; and why contrary to the rent restriction law the police were employed to evict the strikers from their quarters, which some of them had occupied for 25 years.
§ Colonel StanleyAlthough the strike was illegal under the Defence Trade Disputes Order and its existence was not notified until after it had begun, the Labour Department endeavoured to effect conciliation, but without success. As regards the second part of the Question, I am advised that the rent restriction, legislation does not apply. These workers who lived in were not tenants, but received free quarters as part of their wages and while they were working in the Colony.