Miss Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement regarding the future of the Jewish men, women and children of all nationalities, to the number of over 1,300, interned since 1941 in Mauritius; what are the prospects for their release; and whether, in the meantime, the restrictive conditions of their internment can be ameliorated.
§ Mr. Martinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to release the Jewish internees in Mauritius from the internment camp in which they are now confined and to accommodate them in somewhat freer conditions.
§ Colonel StanleyIt has now been decided that the Jewish refugees in Mauritius will be allowed to enter Palestine when the necessary arrangements can be made. I can, however, make no promise as to when that will he, as the difficulties of finding transport for them are formidable and delay may be inevitable. As regards the last part of the 803W Question, certain restrictions placed on the movement of the refugees in August, 1943, on security grounds were removed some months ago. I am confident that the Government of Mauritius will continue to do all they can to ameliorate the conditions in which they are detained.