Ormsby-gore Voices Concern on Palestine Economic Position; No Decision Yet on Entry Schedule

The British Government plans to issue a detailed statement soon on its new investigation in Palestine, but has reached no decision yet on an immigration schedule for the interim period, and meanwhile is concerned over Palestine’s economic situation.

The Government’s views were presented to Commons by William G.A. Ormsby-Gore, Colonial Secretary, in reply to questions today and yesterday by Geoffrey Mander, Liberal; Tom Williams, Laborite, and Sir Percy Harris, Liberal.

Replying to Mr. Mander’s question whether it was proposed to permit Jewish immigration on a larger scale in view of the considerable period lying ahead before anything would be done to settle the Palestine problem, the Colonial Secretary said, “that is a matter coming up for consideration by the Government after March 31” (when the present immigration schedule expires).

Replying to Oswald Lewis, Conservative, who asked for a statement of the Government’s intentions regarding the future system of Palestine administration, Mr. Ormsby-Gore said he had nothing to add to his statement of yesterday on the Palestine situation. At that time, replying to a written question by Mr. Williams, he said:

“Constant pressure by the military and police has been maintained. There have been successful encounters with armed bands, notably operations in Galilee towns at the end of December, the result of which was dispersion of bands in that district. The economic and financial situation in the country gives rise to anxiety and there has been an increase in unemployment, more particularly in Haifa and Tel Aviv.”

Replying to a question by Sir Percy, he said: “I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on the personnel and visit to Palestine of the proposed technical commission.”