§ Mr. Leonardasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the factors taken into account in determining the
3346Wthe event of their being opposed by native chiefs?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThere are in existence in Uganda various ancient arrangements as regards rent and taxation and the policy of the Government is to do away with these survivals as opportunity offers, replacing them by a more suitable system of taxation. In the case of Toro and Ankole, to which it is presumed the hon. Member refers, there was a payment which was originally in lieu of service rendered to the chief. In course of time this payment became regarded as of the nature of rent for land and the system adopted was that payment was collected by the Native Administration and then refunded to individual landlords where there were such. The Governor desires to abolish this arrangement and is taking steps accordingly. It will be necessary for the agreement, to which the hon. Member refers, to be modified in some respects either by negotiation of an entirely new agreement or by a supplementary one, and it will be obvious that any such alterations will require the consent of the native chiefs concerned.