British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 181

CHAPTER VII.

39. In February and March, the Jewish Agency submitted to His Majesty's Government in London proposals regarding the continuation of Jewish immigration after the 31st March, 1944, and asked for further immigration quotas to be granted. In amplification of his declaration of the 10th November, 1943, the Secretary of State, after an interview granted to representatives of the Jewish Agency on the 30th March, 1944, directed a reply (5th April to be sent to the Jewish Agency, the essential points of which are the following :-

(a) the potential balance of Jewish immigration after the 31st March, HJ44, was l!l,500, but the greater part of this number was already committed under quotas granted during the period of the war;

(b) immigration authorities granted before the July-September, 1943, quota period, except in the case of persons in enemy and enemy occupied territories to the number of 18,700, will be regarded as cancelled;

(c) quotas granted since September, 1043, will automatically lapse, if not used, within six months after expiration of the quota period;

(d) the bulk of the remaining places after the 31st March, 1944, will be reserved for refugees from enemy and enemy occupied territories;

(e) no quotas will be granted for other countries, hut a limited number of certificates may be allotted to 'safe' countries, regard being bad to economic absorptive capacity, if a convincing case can be made out in each individual case.

40. The Jewish Agency in their letter of the 16th April, in reply to the Secretary of State, submitted the following further proposals :-

(a) that the 18,700 certificates still remaining unused should be unfrozen and re-allotted ;

(b) that Jews escaping from enemy countries or liberated by His Majesty's Forces be eligible to receive permits;

(c) that holders of permits in 'safe' countries, who have not been able to proceed to Palestine within the period of validity of their permits on account of transport difficulties, should have the validity of their permits extended;

(d) that a quota of 6,000 be authorized for the period April-June, 1944, for Jews in 'safe' countries whose rehabilitation in Palatine is urgent;

(e) that the practice of granting quotas should continue; and

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