Oral Answers to Questions — British Guiana (German Refugees).

– in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.

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Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the circumstances in which a ship containing German-Jewish refugees was refused admittance to British Guiana?

Mr. M. MacDonald:

The ship in question, carrying 165 German refugees, arrived off Georgetown on 24th February, and permission was sought by the master of the vessel for the refugees to land with a view to settlement in the Colony. The Governor replied that no settlement scheme had yet been formulated and that pending the report of the Commission which is now investigating the interior, he regretted that it was impossible to permit the landing of intending settlers. The Governor has informed me that in the present conditions of unrest and unemployment, he considers it impossible to arrange for the settlement of any large number of refugees except under a properly organised scheme.

Photo of Sir Geoffrey Mander Sir Geoffrey Mander , Wolverhampton East

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where these unfortunate refugees can go?

Mr. MacDonald:

I have no information where the ship has gone from British Guiana.

Photo of Mr Maurice Petherick Mr Maurice Petherick , Penryn and Falmouth

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that uncontrolled immigration into any of His Majesty's Dominions or Colonies cannot be allowed in present circumstances and will he see that a rigid scrutiny takes place in each case?

Mr. MacDonalds:

If we allowed one case to occur we could not draw the line anywhere.

Vice-Admiral Taylor:

Does not the fault lie with the people who are responsible for sending these refugees?

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.