HC Deb 29 October 1952 vol 505 cc1925-6
47. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of African representatives on the Uganda Coffee Industry Board, consisting of 13 members.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. John Foster)

I have been asked to reply. According to the proposals which the Uganda Government has published for consideration, members of the Uganda Coffee Industry Board, which has not yet been set up, will be selected as repre- sentatives of the interests concerned and not of racial groups.

Mr. Hynd

In view of the basis upon which this representation has been announced, is it not quite clear that there is going to be an overwhelming number of officials who are non-Africans? In view of the fact that the African producers produced 29,000 out of 33,000 tons of coffee last year, can the hon. and learned Gentleman give us an assurance that they will be adequately represented and that they will be properly democratically elected by African bodies?

Mr. Foster

No statement about the composition of the Board can be made until the local committee reports. Undoubtedly there will be Africans on the Board.

48. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the taxation proposals for the reorganisation of the coffee industry in Uganda; and what are the reasons for continuing Income Tax on non-African producers and introducing a production tax on African producers.

Mr. J. Foster

The scheme as a whole is now being discussed by a local committee, and until they have reported my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make a statement on any part of the taxation proposals.

Mr. Hynd

Do we understand that it has been decided that the Africans shall pay production tax and the Europeans Income Tax? Does the Minister realise that there is a feeling amongst the Africans that this separate form of taxation will merely perpetuate racial differences and that they would much prefer that everything should be under the export tax?

Mr. Foster

The evidence on the taxation proposals has been put before an ad hoc committee of the Legislative Council. Undoubtedly many of the proposals will be considerably changed, but one cannot anticipate what those changes will be.

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