§ 20. Mr. RAFFANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has under consideration the proposals of the municipality of Colombo for the levy of local taxation on the capital value of the undeveloped land on the lines adopted in Singapore; and, if so, what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. PARKERThe Governor of Ceylon recently informed my right hon. Friend of a proposal to introduce into the Legislative Council a Bill embodying the proposals of the Municipal Council of Colombo with regard to the assessment of land values for local taxation. After submitting the draft Bill for the observations of the Ministry of Health, my right hon. Friend in- 237 formed the Governor that he had no objection to its introduction in the Council. Pending the receipt of the Ordinance as passed by the Council, my right hon. Friend does not propose to take any action. He would be reluctant to interfere with the discretion of the Legislative Council in such a matter.