§ 39. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from Gibraltar that the new direct taxation be postponed until the establishment of a Legislative Council.
Mr. DugdaleMy right hon. Friend has himself received no such representations, but in a petition to His Majesty, forwarded through the Secretary of State, the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, the Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights and the Exchange and Commercial Library, have prayed His Majesty to disallow the new Trades Tax Ordinance and to command that no further direct taxation should be introduced pending the constitution of the Legislative Council.
§ Commander NobleIn view of the fact that the Government delayed so long in setting up the Legislative Council, would it not be sensible to delay the tax to allow the people of Gibraltar an opportunity of settling the matter for themselves?
Mr. DugdaleNo, Sir. It is necessary that the revenue from the tax should be secured now, and it is thought advisable that the tax should be introduced. After the Legislative Council has been set up it will be open to them to take action if they wish to do so.
§ Miss HorsbrughDoes the right hon. Gentleman not know that the estimates were not published this year, that they are only now being published, that there is sufficient revenue to carry on in the meantime and that the money to be raised by the tax will not be required before the Assembly meets?
Mr. DugdaleI think that the Assembly would probably find, when it met again, that it would not have as much money as it required unless this tax was brought in. If it finds that it has sufficient money, it is open to the Assembly to make what arrangements it desires.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSurely the right hon. Gentleman realises that it leaves a rather unpleasant impression when, after the delay in the setting up of the Legislative Council, for reasons which many people do not understand, something which would be entirely within their discretion is settled in advance, over their heads?
Mr. DugdaleI do not think it is right that any connection should be sought to be drawn between these two matters, which are entirely separate from one another. I assure the hon. Gentleman that they are entirely separate.
§ Miss HorsbrughIs it not a strange coincidence, if they are entirely separate, that a new tax is being brought in for the first time when, also for the first time, the Legislative Council is being set up?