§ Mr. JOELasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason financial assistance is given to the Arab religious courts in Palestine but not to the rabbinical courts or to the other religious courts of communities in that mandated territory; and whether, in view of the fact that all communities contribute to the revenue of Palestine, he is satisfied that the present arrangements are equitable?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAt the time of the British occupation of Pales-972W tine the Moslem religious courts were part of the judicial system of the country, and have continued to be maintained as such; expenditure being debited and revenue being credited to public funds. The rabbinical courts and the religious courts of the Christian communities, though recognised, were not maintained by the State in Turkish times and this position has been maintained under the British administration. Correspondence is in progress with the High Commissioner for Palestine regarding a request from the General Council of the Jewish community for the grant of a subsidy towards the cost of the rabbinical courts and I shall give this matter full consideration when the High Commissioner's final recommendations on the subject are received.