HC Deb 08 May 1952 vol 500 c544
35. Mr. Ronald Russell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present average estimated taxation, including export tax, paid by rubber plantation limited companies operating in Malaya and the corresponding taxation of industrial companies operating in the United Kingdom, in both cases stated as a percentage of profits.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am afraid that the information requested by my hon. Friend is not available.

Mr. Russell

Does my hon. Friend not agree that most of these companies pay a very penal rate of taxation; and does he not think it very unfair, considering that they have had to rehabilitate themselves after enemy occupation, and are much more heavily penalised compared with companies in this country?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My hon. Friend only asked for certain figures, which I regret to say are not available. The observations in his supplementary question may arise later, in a few weeks' time.

Mr. Edelman

Is it not the case that during the boom period many of these rubber companies penalised the general public?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the United States Government that the fall in the price of rubber makes it immensely more difficult for us to combat Communism in Malaya?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That point is. of course, very present in our minds.