§ 42. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the laws passed in Jamaica recently designed to encourage the establishment of secondary industries there; and what are the prospects of these laws being extended to include other British. West Indian territories when Federation is implemented.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe Industrial Incentives Law. 1956, and the Export Industry Encouragement Law, 1956, have been recently enacted in Jamaica to encourage the establishment of secondary industries. Under these two laws, together with the Pioneer Industries (Encouragement)Law, 1949, persons wishing to establish or expand industrial undertakings may obtain tonnage tax, Customs Duties and income tax concessions. This legislation is somewhat complicated, and I am arranging for copies of it to be placed in the Library.
A variety of legislation having similar objectives exists in most of the other British West Indian territories. I cannot prophesy how the establishment of Federation will affect this.
§ Mr. RussellWill not my hon. Friend agree that this is very sound policy which ought to be copied throughout the Colonial Empire wherever possible?