§ 25. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he insisted on the communal system of 15 election in Palestine; and has the Colonial Office changed its policy on the question of communal representation since it tried to prevent it in Kenya?
§ Mr. AMERYThe right hon. and gallant Member is presumably referring to the municipal franchise recently introduced in Palestine. The system, however, is not strictly speaking on a communal basis. Voting will be by proportional representation from a single list of candidates without distinction of community, but in certain municipal areas it is provided that the seats on the Council shall be held in proportion to the strength of the different communities, and for this purpose separate community registers will be kept. There is, in any case, no question of the Colonial Office insisting on any particular type of franchise under the very varied conditions of different Colonies and Dependencies.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDo I understand that the ordnance that was promulgated at the end of last year is not the one that is to be finally adopted?
§ Mr. AMERYYes, Sir; I think so. If my right hon. and gallant Friend will study the ordnance, he will find that it provides for proportional representation on a single list. In certain constituencies, however, there is provision that the number of representatives returned should be proportional to the voting strength of the different communities.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThere are two separate lists, one for the Moslems and one for the Jews.