§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)On behalf of the hon. Member for the Abercromby Division of Liverpool, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that rice meal is allowed to leave Burmah duty free, whereas all rough and cleaned rice pays a considerable Export Duty, whereby serious damage is done to the rice-milling trade and the hands employed therein; and whether any steps are likely to be taken to remove this trade preference to the prejudice of English trade?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL, North Beds.)Rice flour already pays the same duty on exportation 1159 as white rice and cargo rice. Rice bran, which is used principally for feeding cattle and pigs, is not subjected to any duty. The Government of India are opposed to placing duties on articles of export, and desire to abolish the Rice Duty as soon as the finances permit They would probably be unwilling to impose a fresh duty on rice refuse.