38. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Moyne formula for direct native services was an integral part of Lord Moyne's proposals for a betterment fund and a committee to administer the fund, and seeing that neither of these institutions have been created, whether the Moyne formula for earmarking a proportion of native taxation any longer obtains?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreAs I informed the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on 17th February, Sir Alan Pim has advised an examination of the whole system of native direct taxation and until such an examination can be carried out it seems premature to consider the application of Lord Moyne's suggestion. In point of fact expenditure on native services has always been very close to the amount which would have been available on that suggestion and in the current year is expected to exceed it.
Mr. Creech JonesIs there any intention to abandon the idea of a betterment fund? Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any assurance as to the future?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GorePending the examination of the future of native taxation in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa, I do not think I can give any such assurance. I am rather inclined to think that the most important question at the moment to examine is whether native taxation should not be reduced.