A service from mySociety A service from mySociety

TheyWorkForYou

Menu

Jewish Refugees.

Oral Answers to Questions — Palestine. – in the House of Commons at on 5 June 1939.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Philip Noel-Baker Mr Philip Noel-Baker , Derby

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.

Photo of Mr Philip Noel-Baker Mr Philip Noel-Baker , Derby

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.

Photo of Mr Philip Noel-Baker Mr Philip Noel-Baker , Derby

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.

Photo of Colonel Josiah Wedgwood Colonel Josiah Wedgwood , Newcastle-under-Lyme

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.

Photo of Mr Henry Croft Mr Henry Croft , Bournemouth

Could my right hon. Friend state—

Mr. Deputy-Speaker:

We have done only 32 Questions up to now.

Photo of Mr Philip Noel-Baker Mr Philip Noel-Baker , Derby

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.

Photo of Mr Philip Noel-Baker Mr Philip Noel-Baker , Derby

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.

Photo of Commander Sir Peter Agnew Commander Sir Peter Agnew , Camborne

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.

Photo of Colonel Josiah Wedgwood Colonel Josiah Wedgwood , Newcastle-under-Lyme

Where were most of the 800 landed?

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.

White Paper

A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.

More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper

Speaker

The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.