Mr. BECKETTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the qualifications for the franchise in Palestine; and what majority of the adult inhabitants were on the register at the last election?
§ Mr. AMERYAny male person is eligible for the municipal franchise in Palestine who (1) is a Palestinian citizen not less than 25 years of age, (2) is not under any disability, (3) has not been sentenced in Palestine to a term of imprisonment of one year or more, or, if so sentenced, has received a free pardon, and (4) had paid, prior to the 31st of December last, taxes on immovable property owned by him within a municipal area of an amount of at least 50 piastres in respect of the financial year 1926–27. As regards the latter part of the question, there have not previously been any municipal elections under the British administration in Palestine.
If the hon. Member refers not to the municipal franchise, but to the franchise for the Legislative Council, I would refer him to Cmd. 1889.