§ 1. Major PROCTERasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the northern coastal region of the Bombay Presidency Japanese rayon goods are being sold at prices below the Customs duty; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent smuggling and the evasion of the quota agreement between Great Britain and India regarding Japanese goods?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)Smuggling in this area has been the subject of very careful inquiry during the present year, and the Government of India have taken and are taking steps to strengthen their preventive lines. My right hon. Friend has received no recent complaints of smuggling of artificial silk on a large scale. As regards the quota arrangement between India and Japan—covering cotton goods only, not artificial silk—the Government of India are satisfied that with the co-operation of the States they have reduced to a minimum the possibility of uncertified Japanese cotton piece goods finding their way into India.
§ 2. Captain FULLERasked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps are being taken to prevent the importation into India of cotton piece goods from Japan which are not supported by certificates because they are being shipped from British Colonies and, because of that, greatly exceed the agreed quota?
§ Mr. BUTLERI have no information regarding the arrival of Japanese cotton piece goods in India from British Colonies, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the information that has reached him, the Government of India will be asked for a report.