British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 180

CHAPTER VII.

36. Towards the end of 1942, however, His Majesty's Government, taking into consideration the grave danger to which the refugees were exposed if compelled by the Turkish Government to return to Europe, authorized the British passport control officer, Istanbul, to grant immigration visas for Palestine to any Jew arriving in Turkey from Europe provided the security authorities raised no objection. Under this arrangement 6,027 immigrants (4,912 adults and 1,115 children) received facilities to proceed to "Palestine as immigrants.

37. Towards the end of 1943 it became apparent that the total number of Jewish immigrants likely to be admitted during the five years ending at the 31st March, 194-!, would not amount to 75,000.

On the 10th November, 1943, the Secretary of State made the following statement in the House of Commons regarding the admission to Palestine, after the 31st March, 1944, of the balance of the number of Jewish immigrants outstanding under the White Paper policy :-

"The Statement of Policy relating to Palestine which was issued as a White Paper in May, 1939, provided for the admission to Palestine of 75,000 Jewish immigrants during the period of five years ending 31st March, 1944, subject to the criterion of the economic absorptive capacity of the country. It was contemplated that there should be an annual quota of 10,000 and, iu addition, as a contribution towards the solution of the Jewish refugee problem, 25,000 refugees would be admitted as soon as adequate provision for their maintenance was assured.

The war has prevented the fulfillment of this programme. The number of Jews who entered Palestine legally or illegally up to 30th September, 1943, against the total of 75,000 to be admitted under the existing quota. system is 43,922. There are thus 31,078 who, it may be fairly assumed, would have reached it before 31st March, 1944, but for the exigencies of the war. His Majesty's Government have been considering this position, and have reached the conclusion that it would be inequitable to close the doors of Palestine to these persons on account of the time factor. No effort will be lacking on the part of His Majesty's Government to facilitate their arrival, subject to the criterion of economic absorptive capacity".

38. The following is a summary of Jewish immigration during' the period of five years ended at the 31st March, 1944 :-

Total provided under the White Paper Legal immigrants

Illégal immigrants

75,000

Balance

81,221

19,965 61,186

28,814

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