§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any control of profits in the Tanganyika sisal industry; what taxation is imposed; what wages are paid; and approximately how many Africans are now employed.
§ Colonel StanleyThe prices paid by the Ministry of Supply for East African, including Tanganyika, sisal are fixed from time to time after a close scrutiny of actual 191W costs of production in respect of the industry as a whole. The Tanganyika industry is subject to local Income Tax at 4s. in the £, and to Excess Profits Tax at the rate of 60 per cent. In addition, companies registered in this country are subject to United Kingdom taxation, with the normal double taxation relief in respect of taxation payable in East Africa. Minimum wage rates prescribed in respect of each 30-day ticket are 15s. for cutters and skilled labour and 12s. for cleaners and unskilled labour, to which are added quarters and rations on a prescribed scale. The approximate number of Africans employed in the sisal industry in Tanganyika is 100,000.