§ 39. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the nature and purpose of the official questionnaire now being distributed in certain villages in Malaya.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDuring the recent curfew at Tanjong Malim, a letter from the High Commissioner was distributed to every household in the area. It asked for 397 information, which could be given anonymously, about the activities of local terrorists and their supporters. Every family thus had an opportunity of giving information to the Government with absolute secrecy and without influence from other people in the area.
§ Mr. RankinIs there not the danger in this procedure that the ordinary inhabitants may come to the conclusion that this is an invitation to spy on their neighbours? In view of the fact that the questionnaire is coming from an alien Power, does the right hon. Gentleman expect that it will be attended with much success?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere are far greater dangers than that, and, already, the result of this procedure has been very satisfactory.
§ Mr. DribergCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the case that about 70 or 80 per cent. of those to whom this questionnaire was delivered were unable to read it, being illiterate, and what was done in those cases?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDespite that, the percentage of those able to read it have given us very useful information.
| Colony | Tax on Companies in the £ | Progressive Rates of Income Tax on Chargeable Income of Individuals | Minimum Allowance | Remarks | |||
| s. | d. | ||||||
| Far East | |||||||
| Hong Kong | … | … | 2 | 6 | 6d. first £312, rising by similar stages to a maximum of 5s. over £2,812. | £437 10 | |
| Federation of Malaya | 6 | 0 | 7⅕d. first £58 increasing up to 4s. on £5,833. | £350 | |||
| Singapore | … | ||||||
| North Borneo | … | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Sarawak | … | … | 4 | 0 | |||
| Brunei | … | … | 4 | 0 | |||
| West Indies | |||||||
| Barbados | … | … | 7 | 6 | 6d. first £100 increasing up to 15s. over £5,000. | £150 | |
| British Guiana | … | 9 | 0 | 1s. 3d. first £250 increasing up to 12s. over £2,250. | £208 | ||
| British Honduras | … | 7 | 0 | 1s. first £125 increasing up to 7s. over £4,750 plus Surtax over £2,500. 2s.–4s. over £5,000. | |||
| Jamaica | … | … | 7 | 6 | 7d. first £100 increasing up to 7s. 6d. over £850 plus Surtax over £2,000. 1s. 3d.–7s. 6d. over £7,000. | £200 | |
| Trinidad | … | … | 9 | 0 | 4¾d. first £208 increasing up to 18s. over £13,750. | £100 | |
| Antigua | … | 5 | 6 | 6d. first £100 increasing up to 13s. 6d. over £1,500. | £100 | ||
| Montserrat | … | ||||||
| St. Kitts-Nevis | … | 6 | 6 | 6d. first £100 increasing up to 15s. over £4,000. | £100 | ||
| Virgin Islands | … | 5 | 6 | ||||
| Dominica | … | … | 6 | 0 | 6d. first £100 increasing up to 10s. over £3,000. | £100 | |
| Grenada | … | … | 6 | 0 | 7.2d. first £104 increasing up to 10s. over £3,125. | £100 |
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that, in the Singapore and Malayan Press in recent weeks, considerable apprehension has been expressed by representatives of the community about the new policy? Will the High Commissioner be able to consult representatives of the Chinese, Malays and Indians in Malaya?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, every opportunity for consultation between the High Commissioner and the local races in Malaya has been and is being taken.