§ 21. Mr. Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is being made in the development of local government in the British Solomon Islands.
§ Mr. FisherTwenty-four local government councils cover the Protectorate except for a few small outlying islands. They are making steady progress in a wide range of socially useful and economically valuable activities. In 1962, their revenue and expenditure were each about £50,000, four and a half times more than in 1955 when the present pattern was established.
A town council was set up in 1958 at the capital, Honiara. It is making similar progress.
§ Mr. IrvineWhat sources of local revenue are available, and is there any method by which these sources can be increased either by subvention from the central Government or in other ways?
§ Mr. FisherThe revenue comes mainly from a poll tax. It is rather unlikely that more money can be raised from that particular tax until there is a rise in income, which, it is hoped, will take place as a result of various measures to stimulate the territory's economy. Meanwhile, the central Government are doing what they can to help with their own very restricted resources, and they have transferred some responsibilities and some money to the local authorities in this last year.