HC Deb 14 May 1928 vol 217 cc682-3W
Mr. RENNIE SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any exemptions in respect of the payment of poll tax by male natives in Kenya are allowed, whether in regard to age, sickness, or other cause?

Mr. AMERY

Under the Kenya Native Hut and Poll Tax Ordinance of 1910, power is given for the remission of tax when a native is unable to obtain employment by reason of age or infirmity. There is also general power to exempt from payment of the whole or any portion of the tax any person or class of persons or the members of any tribe or the inhabitants of any district, area or place. Specific exemption has been granted from time to time by ordinance or rule, e.g., to certain classes of natives who have served in the King's African Rifles or in civil employment as police, prison warders and forest guards; generally speaking, such exemption is granted after a definite period of continuous good service, but in the case of the King's African Rifles exemption is granted also in the event of injury or disease contracted on active service resulting in impairment of wage earning capacity.

Mr. SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any exemptions are allowed from the payment of poll tax by women in Kenya?

Mr. AMERY

Native poll tax in Kenya is payable only by able-bodied males of the apparent age of 16 and over who are not liable to pay hut tax. No question of exemption for women arises.