§ 58. Major Sir B. FALLEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the States of the island of Jersey sent an official communication on 13th May, 1919, to the Government on the subject of local finance and taxation; that this letter remained unanswered for five months; if he can say if the object was in some way to punish the island or simply to add to the financial difficulties of the place; if the last letter from the same assembly was sent on 20th January, and as yet no answer has been received; and if he will himself inquire into the whole case, and so ensure that an island, the population of which gave £2 per head to the Home Exchequer and sent 17 per cent. of her population to fight, shall not receive any but most favoured treatment from every Department of His Majesty's Government.
§ Major BAIRDMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The States of the Island submitted in May of last year a series of proposals for fresh taxation which raised some very important questions of principle. It was necessary to make careful inquiries with regard to the effect of the proposals and to consult the Governor, and this necessarily took some time. It was decided to refer back one of the measures which proposed a large increase in indirect taxation for reconsideration by the States. The other measures were approved. The reply of the States is now before the Home Secretary, and he hopes a decision will be reached in the course of a few days.