HC Deb 07 March 1927 vol 203 cc822-4
14. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why British subjects are not allowed to vote for or to sit on municipal councils in Palestine?

Mr. AMERY

When the Palestine Municipal Franchise Ordinance was being framed, it was decided, on grounds of general policy, to confine the privileges of voting in municipal elections and of sitting on municipal councils to Palestinian citizens; and it would not be desirable to make a special exception to this decision in favour of British subjects. The right hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that Palestinian citizens are British protected persons.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Could the right hon. Gentleman give me one solitary precedent in the British Empire for British subjects not being allowed to vote for municipal councils in that Empire?

Mr. AMERY

I think the position of Palestine as a mandated territory is rather peculiar, and it was felt desirable on general grounds to confine the municipal franchise to Palestinian citizens.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

But why, seeing that in other parts of the British Empire people who reside in the country are allowed to vote, whether British subjects or not, should this extraordinary course be taken in Palestine?

Mr. AMERY

I am not sure that Palestine is in the full sense of the word in the British Empire, and I am not sure that I agree with the general contention of the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Are there not women in England under 30 years of age who are not allowed to vote?

15. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why women are not allowed to vote for or to sit on municipal councils in Palestine?

Mr. AMERY

I am advised by the High Commissioner that it would for some time to come be repugnant to the wishes of the great majority of the population of Palestine to give the franchise to women throughout that country or to allow them to sit on municipal councils. In some areas the objections to the franchise of women do not obtain, and they already have the right to vote in elections to the Tel-Aviv Local Council.

I understand also that the High Commissioner has at present under consideration a proposal to include in the law relating to municipal elections clauses which may be adopted by municipal councils which desire that women should be allowed to participate in the elections to those councils.