25. Mr. Baldwinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he accepts the statement made by Sir Wilfred Woods in his fiscal survey of East Africa to the effect that none of the East African territories has, or is likely for a long period to have, sufficient taxable capacity to provide more than a fraction of the funds required for universal African education; and what action he proposes to take to improve African education in those countries.
Mr. Creech JonesI am well aware of the serious nature of the problem of establishing a comprehensive system of African education. The report is at present under examination by the East African Governments, and I should prefer to await their views before making a considered statement on Sir Wilfred Wood's Report.
Mr. BaldwinIn view of the statement in that report that 90 per cent, of the Income Tax paid in Kenya is collected from the European population, will the Minister say whether active steps are being taken to see that the whole of the community contribute their fair share?
Mr. Creech JonesOne of the purposes of the inquiry was to discover the taxable resources of Kenya. Now the report has been published, I think an opportunity must be given to the local government to consider it. Obviously the problem of evasion of taxation is certainly in the minds of the local government.