§ 31. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds a new order has been gazetted in Palestine which makes every inhabitant an alien unless he is a Palestinian citizen; and does this mean 17 that in future either fewer Jews will be allowed votes or that a man or woman must surrender British citizenship to get a vote?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)In connection with certain changes in the judicial system of Palestine it has been found necessary to amend the definition of "foreigner" which appears in the Palestine Order-in-Council of 1922. Under the new definition "foreigner" means any person who is not a Palestinian citizen, but this definition is applicable only for the purpose of that part of the Palestine Order-in-Council which deals with the constitution of the courts and the judicial system, and has no effect whatever on the position of any person in Palestine in the matter of his voting rights under any franchise legislation.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes this new order deprive British citizens in Palestine of the right to ask for a British judge to try their cases?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should like notice of that question, because I cannot state without notice what the present position is. The only effect of this order is to provide that every one shall be treated in the same way.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that certain clauses in the original order are repeated, and, among others, the clause which gives British subjects the right to ask for an English judge?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe right hon. Gentleman had better put that question on the Paper. The question I was originally asked was whether such people as had votes would have them taken away The answer is "No."