HC Deb 10 December 1928 vol 223 c1673
10. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Palestinian tax known as the werko is still in operation both in rural and in urban areas; and, if not, where it has been abolished?

Mr. AMERY

So far as I am aware, werko is still levied in rural districts. Under Orders issued by the Officer Administering the Government of Palestine in July last, an urban property tax will be levied in the urban areas of Jerusalem and Jaffa as from the 1st of April next in the place of certain Ottoman taxes including werko.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was proposed to abolish the rural werko and combine it with the new system of collecting tithes; and has that been done?

Mr. AMERY

I do not think so. I have not looked into it.