§ 75. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent plans to encourage the replacement of old rubber trees in Malaya are succeeding, particularly in respect of smallholders; what attempt is being made to bring smallholders into large-scale co-operative societies; and what further consideration has been given to the incidence of taxation affecting the Malayan rubber industry.
§ Mr. HopkinsonOver 50,000 acres have been replanted in the two years during which the Smallholders' Replanting Scheme has been in force. Estates have replanted some 300,000 acres since the war. At the end of 1954 there were 22 co-operative societies engaged in marketing rubber. The Department of Co-operative Development in the Federation is doing all that it can to encourage such societies. The Federation Government are now discussing replanting and the incidence of taxation with the Rubber Producers Council, which represents all sections of the industry, including smallholders.