asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how soon it is intended to grant the 25,000 visas for Palestine promised in the recent White Paper, as a means of facilitating the departure of Jewish refugees from Germany?

Mr. M. MacDonald:

I am at present in communication with the High Commissioner regarding a new immigration quota, including provision for refugees, and am not yet in a position to make a statement on the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the conditions of the Jews in Germany become more desperate every month and that if Palestine is to make any contribution to the problem it ought to make it now?

Mr. MacDonald:

As the policy announces, there is to be a special quota for refugees of 25,000, to be admitted as soon as accommodation can be provided for them in Palestine. We certainly do not intend that there should be any undue delay in the reception of those refugees.

Did not the Jewish Agency say last November they could then take, and immediately provide for, 100,000?

Mr. MacDonald:

I am in consultation with the High Commissioner on the whole question, and I cannot give any further information until the dispatch comes back with the details.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman aright that the 25,000 visas for refugees would be confined to German refugees, or would they include refugees from Poland and Rumania?

Mr. MacDonald:

It includes refugees under the terms of the Evian Committee.

Could my right hon. Friend state—

Mr. Deputy-Speaker:

We have done only 32 Questions up to now.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what destination it is intended to deport illegal Jewish refugees who reach Palestine from Germany or Italy?

Mr. MacDonald:

Following international practice, illegal immigrants who may succeed in entering Palestine will be deported, where possible, to their respective countries of origin. The numbers which cannot he deported will be deducted from future immigration quotas.

Does that mean that refugees who came from Germany would be sent back to the concentration camps?

Mr. MacDonald:

It does not mean that.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward:

My right hon. Friend referred to a ship which contained 800 immigrants: can he state where those unfortunate beings have been sent to?

Mr. MacDonald:

They are at present detained in Palestine, but I would point out to the House that a great many of these immigrants are not at all refugees from Germany or countries where they are having difficulties, in Central Europe.

Did the person responsible for shipping those unfortunate people take the steps necessary to ascertain whether they would be admitted?

Mr. MacDonald:

No, Sir. So far as the people responsible were aware, those people would not be admitted to Palestine. They had not any of the necessary papers and had not made any of the necessary inquiries.

Where were most of the 800 landed?