36/400/01 and put by pl.
14 June,
June, 1965
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When.
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Page 79
I regret that there was no opportunity in the Commonwealth and Colonial Affairs Debate on 1st June to deal with the points you made about Hong Kong.
On the question of constitutional advance the ground has been covered in recent months in your exchange of letters with Eirene White and myself. I don't think there is anything I can usefully add on this point just at present.
In your remarks on taxation you appeared to imply that unearned income is not taxed in Hong Kong. I would point out that, apart from Salaries Tax (or income tax as we know it), taxes are also levied on property, profits and interest (1.e. unearned income) at the standard rate.
I am glad that you were able to mention the health and educational polices of the Hong Kong Government and the measures shortly to be introduced for regulating the recruitment of seamen. In the educational field the need to provide primary school places for all children of primary age has taken precedence over all other interests. Now that this goal is in sight it will be possible (and it is the Hong Kong Government's intention) to make greater progress towards the provision of free primary education and in the development of secondary education. I fully understand your preference for public education, but it has been necessary in Hong Kong (and will continue to be necessary) to rely greatly on private schools to meet the quite exceptional needs of the fast-growing population.
JOHN RANKIN, ESQ., M.P.
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/Incidentally
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