§ Sir S. Reedasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protest has been made to the Italian Government against the sailing from an Italian port of the vessel "Lo Tahfiduno," on 11th December, with 875 illegal Jewish immigrants on board; and what reply has been received.
§ Mr. MayhewHis Majesty's Government have reason to believe that the 882 Jewish illegal immigrants carried by the Italian vessel "Maria Christina," subsequently renamed "Lo Tahfiduno" and intercepted in Palestine waters on 22nd December, 1947, were embarked clandestinely and without the authority of the Italian Government from a point on the Italian coast near Civita Vecchia on 10th December. The ship is reported to have sailed on 8th December from Spezia, ostensibly on legitimate business, and some at least of her passengers are known to have been assembled in advance at Palese on 9th December.
His Majesty's Embassy in Rome have drawn the attention of the Italian Government to the arrival in Palestine waters of these Jewish illegal immigrants and have expressed the dissatisfaction felt by His Majesty's Government that this illegal embarkation should not have been prevented by the Italian authorities. Further action is being reserved pending the results of the investigation which it is hoped the Italian Government will make into the circumstances of this embarkation.