§ CAPTAIN J. SINCLAIR (Dumbartonshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is the case that he has consented to receive a deputation of Scottish manufacturers in regard to the Scottish interests said to be specially affected injuriously by the recently imposed Indian import duties upon cotton; and, whether it is the declared intention of the Government to deprive the imposition of these import duties of all Protective character?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. H. H. FOWLEK,) Wolverhampton, E.It is the case that I have made an appointment to receive a deputation of Scottish manufacturers with reference to the recently-imposed Indian import duty upon cotton. In my despatch to the Government of India of the 13th December last I stated that—
Her Majestys Government are precluded by their pledges from sanctioning the imposition of import duties on cotton goods unless under such conditions as will insure beyond question that the duties thus imposed will have no Protective effect.I need hardly say that to that declaration I unreservedly adhere.