§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount of the total revenue collected from taxation of the natives in the British Solomon Islands; and what proportion of this revenue is spent on native welfare?
§ Mr. AMERYThe accounts of the Protectorate do not separate revenue and expenditure attributable to the natives from other revenue and expenditure. The Native Tax, which applies only to natives, yielded £9,803 in the year 1926–27 out of a total revenue of £77,445. All the revenue raised in the Islands is spent for the benefit of the inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are natives.
§ Mr. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whom His Majesty's Government have decided to appoint as Special Commissioner to inquire 232W into the circumstances of the murders in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate; and whether this Commissioner will be instructed to inquire into the grievances of the natives on Malaita and Guadalcanal and, in particular, into their attitude on the matter of taxation?
§ Mr. AMERYI am not yet in a position to announce the name of the Commissioner who is to proceed to the British Solomon Islands Protectorate to inquire into and report upon the circumstances surrounding the murders during last year of Government officials on the islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita. The terms of reference are wide enough to admit the matter of taxation if the Commissioner is of opinion that it should receive his attention.