§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for
† See preceding volume, p. 1249.516 the Colonies whether he is aware that the High Commissioner of South Rhodesia has sanctioned an ordinance imposing a tax of 10s. on each adult inmate of a hut; will he state what sum was formerly collected on each hut irrespective of the number of adult inmates, the amount which the new tax is estimated to produce; and whether the High Commissioner has acted on his own initiative in the matter, or under instructions from the Colonial Office.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. The previous ordinance of 1894 imposed a tax of the same amount—10s. on each hut simply. I understand that the present tax is estimated to produce £105,000 for the year 1902–3. The tax was recommended by the Resident Commissioner and assented to by the High Commissioner with my authority.