Proposed Jewish Census in England Most Dangerous Proposition Mr. Haldin Chairman of Board of Deputie

In view of the need for accurate statistical data concerning the Jewish population of this country the Law, Parliamentary and General Purposes Committee should be instructed to consider and report upon the desirability of the Board setting up a Statistical Committee including representatives of other communal bodies willing to co-operate in the work of preparing and collating such data, Mr. Harry Samuels moved at to-day’s meeting of the Board of Deputies.

The proposal was dropped after Mr. H. H. Haldin, K. C., the Chairman of the Law and Parliamentary Committee, had described the proposal as the most dangerous brought before the Board since he was a member. In the first place, he said, if the number of Jews is large, there are some who would say: look at the big number of Jews in this country. If the number is small, they would remark: look at the influence they wield in spite of their small numbers. Then again, if you take the statistics of the criminals in this country you would be shocked to know the proportion of Jews. Again, take the question of lunatics and if you compare the number of Jews among them with the total number, you will find that the proportion of Jews is in excess of the non-Jews This census, he contended, is to be avoided at all costs. For three centuries it has been the policy of the English people and of leaders of all parties that a census pointing out the religious denomination of people comprising the population is undersirable and unwanted. Why should we take a special census to which the country as a whole has objected, and which has never been carried out?

Dr. Sorsby called attention in connection with the question to the work of the Jewish Health Organisation in this matter of statistics.