5.
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which colonial Governments are still providing food subsidies in order to prevent further rises in the cost of living; and what sums are set aside from taxation for this purpose.
As the Answer is rather long, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Can the Minister say what the future policy of his Department regarding subsidies in the Colonies is going to be?
That is under consideration now.
Following is the answer:
The following Colonies subsidise foodstuffs from ordinary local revenue to the extent shown:
Colony and estimated expenditure on subsidisation for the financial year 1947 or 5947–48.
| ||||
| £ | ||||
| Kenya | … | … | 100,000 | |
| Tanganyika | … | … | 20,000 | |
| Zanzibar | … | … | 10,000 | |
| Northern Rhodesia | … | … | 92,000 | |
| Malayan Union | … | … | 2,700,000 | |
| Singapore | … | … | 817,000 | |
| Mauritius | … | … | 300,000 | |
| Malta | … | … | 620,000 | (a) |
| Palestine | … | … | 2,500,000 | (b) |
| Cyprus | … | … | 650,000 | (a) |
| St. Helena | … | … | 10,000 | (a) |
| Trinidad | … | … | 306,000 | (b) |
| Jamaica | … | … | 231,000 | (a) (b |
| British Honduras | … | … | 23,000 | (a) |
| British Guiana | … | … | 250,000 | |
| Barbados | … | … | 55,000 | (c) |
| Fiji | … | … | 96,000 | |
The following Colonies subsidise foodstuffs from sources other than ordinary local revenue. e.g., commodity marketing funds:
- Aden.
- Seychelles.
- Leeward Islands (d).
- Windward Islands (d).
In a few of the above cases it has not been possible to exclude the cost of subsidies to certain commodities other than food.
Footnotes.(a) These territories receive certain assistance from United Kingdom funds. (b) Estimates for the financial year 1946 or 1946–47. (c) Estimates for the period April—June, 1947, when the position will be reviewed. (d) The position regarding food subsidies and the means of financing them is under review