HC Deb 21 April 1948 vol 449 cc1799-800
25. Mr. T. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the resignations of the senior unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the Seychelles.

Mr. Mayhew

The senior unofficial member of the Legislative Council, who was also a member of Executive Council, resigned because he was out of sympathy with the administration of the Government of the Colony. He has cited a number of reasons for his dissatisfaction on some of which my right hon. Friend is awaiting the observations of the Governor. One other member resigned on the grounds of ill health, and another without assigning any specific reason.

Mr. Rankin

Can my hon. Friend say if some of the difficulties existing in the Seychelles are due, first, to the fact that we have now got there a very good Governor, and secondly, that he is making strenuous efforts to collect arrears of Income Tax?

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is awaiting the comments of the Governor on the report, and I think we should await his comments.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Is there any connection between the resignation of these senior officials and Income Tax?

Mr. Rankin

Yes, a lot. They do not like paying it.