asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what date it is anticipated the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine will be able to submit its report to U.N.O.

The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine, which was established by resolution of the General Assembly, is required, by the terms of that resolution, to communicate its report to the Secretary-General not later than 1st September.

Could this report be still further expedited in order to avoid prolonging by a single day the appalling policy that His Majesty's Government are at present pursuing in Palestine?

His Majesty's Government are pursuing a policy of endeavouring to get a settlement of the matter, and have referred it to an international tribunal. If all parties would accept that fact and act accordingly, and wait for the decision, then these appalling things that happen as a result of their attempt to defy the United Nations organisation, as well as us, could be avoided.

Pending the submission of this report, will my right hon. Friend avoid intensification of the terrorism in Palestine by not allowing the repetition of an incident like that in connection with the "President Warfield"?

I think the Jewish Agency can prevent it by not sending them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what tonnage of British merchant shipping has now been placed at the disposal of the Palestine Government for the interception of unauthorised Jewish refugee immigration.

Seven ships, with a total gross registered tonnage of 26,000, have been made available for the transfer of illegal immigrants from Palestine and for transport from the Cyprus camps to Palestine. Four of these, with a total tonnage of about 5,300, are of corvette type, and could not be employed for normal commercial purposes.

In view of the present heavy demands on shipping space for the con veyance of food supplies to this country, and for the needs of our Dominions, could not these vessels be put to better use than to force the remnants of the gas chambers and concentration camps back into exile?

These are corvettes They are unsuitable for commercial use, and in any case Britain must carry out her international obligations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the latest situation of the refugees transhipped from the "Exodus 1947."

The three transports carrying these illegal immigrants arrived at Port de Bouc on 29th July. The arrangements for their disembarkation are under discussion with the French authorities.

Can my right hon. Friend say that no coercion will be used against these hapless people to land so that they shall not be still wandering aimlessly after all their years of bitter experience, and will he say whether he is aware of the fact that 1,800 people, among them children and pregnant women, were kept in one hold without any sleeping requisites or proper accommodation?

This matter is under discussion now with the French Government, and I am not in a position to add to my reply.

is my right hon. Friend aware of British Press reports that should these unfortunate people be unable to land in France they will be transferred to Hamburg? Can he assure the House that there is no truth in those reports?

All I can say is that that is a Press story.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Jewish Agency has issued any public advice to these people to obey the orders of authority, and so avoid incidents?

I regret I have no official information to that effect.

Are the Government taking any steps to find out who is responsible for exploiting these people?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the grave anxiety in the House about a report on the tape about the fate of the kidnapped sergeants in Palestine, he has any information to give to the House.

I am aware of the acute anxiety felt by Members regarding the position of the two British sergeants, Paice and Martin, abducted at Nathanya in Palestine on 12th July. I regret that as yet I am unable to give any official information to the House, though I am aware that certain statements have already been issued by a news agency. I need hardly assure the House that this, matter is receiving the close and urgent attention of the Government and the authorities in Palestine, and I will keep the House informed of developments. I am sure the House expresses its sympathy with the relatives of these men in the anxious suspense through which they are passing.

May I ask my right hon. Friend how long it takes him to receive official confirmation either accepting or denying any information of this sort which is given on the tape, and when we might expect some official statement on this matter?

I cannot say how, soon we shall get the information, but telegraphic communication is very quick.