An emphatic denial that the recent Arab disturbances in Palestine were the result of increased Jewish immigration was made by Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, Colonial Secretary, in the House of Commons tonight.
Cunliffe-Lister’s statement came in reply to interpellations by Major General Sir Alfred Knox, Conservative member, who made a suggestion to this effect. The Colonial Secretary explained that the recent improvement in Palestine economic conditions rendered the country attractive to immigration by a self-supporting class, making possible larger immigration quotas for wage-earners.
Cunliffe-Lister evaded direct answer to queries by Josiah Wedgewood, Labor M.P., as to whether the ####### Jews illegally in Palestine had not been undertaken as a result of the Arab disturbances. The measures taken by the Palestine government to round up Jews who have overstayed their leave on tourist visas has aroused a storm of protest. The Colonial Secretary insisted that the Arab disturbances had not caused the Palestine government to make any changes in its policies with regard to the admission of Jews into the country.
Pressed by Wedgewood, who asked whether this deportation policy had not been recently introduced, Cunliffe-Lister replied that it was best for all concerned that immigrants should enter Palestine only through authorized channels. He did not answer the Labor member’s question whether the government really intends deporting the 20,000 Jews said to be in Palestine without visas.
Replying to questions regarding the proposed legislative council for Palestine which he had previously announced would be established, the Colonial Secretary declared that there was no intention of placing the Palestine police under the authority of the council. The council is not intended to supersede the High Commissioner of Palestine, he declared.
Palestine, governed by Great Britain under a League of Nations mandate, is administered by an appointive administration under a High Commissioner named by the British Colonial Office.
The legislative council announced by Cunliffe-Lister would provide for popular representation on a council the function of which would be to advise the High Commissioner on Palestine matters.
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