§ 38. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that part of the cost of the administraion of British Honduras has been borne by the United Kingdom Treasury for more than 15 years and that the land tax is only one per cent. per acre, he will consider increasing the tax.
Mr. Creech JonesThe land tax in British Honduras is at present 1½ cents per acre. The present system of land taxation has been criticised in the report of the Colony's Development Planning Committee, and the Colonial Government are at present considering means by which it might be improved.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not a fact that this tax was doubled by the Labour Government from 1931, and reduced by the succeeding Conservative Government, with disadvantageous effects to the Colony? Would it not be of advantage to the Colony if it was doubled again?
Mr. Creech JonesWe are giving consideration, at the moment, as to whether further taxation should be obtained from this source.