HC Deb 20 April 1899 vol 70 cc61-3
MR. MACLEAN (Cardiff)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, with reference to the statement he made on Tuesday as to the insignificance of the trade in sweetmeats between the United Kingdom and British India, whether he is aware that the total value of this branch of our exports is estimated by competent commercial authorities to be at least £200,000; whether the new duties on all these British goods will be remitted; and, under what statute the Secretary of State claims a dispensing power not to put in force a law duly passed by the Governor-General of India in Council with his express sanction?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

As I stated on the 18th instant the importations of sugar, including sugar candy and confectionery, from the United Kingdom into India, on the average of the four years ending March 1898, were 900 tons a year, and the value of these importations came to an average of Rx. 32,700. I cannot tell on what basis the much larger estimate offered by my honourable Friend is founded. The latest United Kingdom published Returns (for the year 1897) do not bear out that estimate. As regards the remission of the duty, what I stated was that in view of the comparatively small amount of these importations, and the difficulty of estimating the quantities of sugar in a given amount of confectionery, I did not know whether the Government of India would think it worth while to insist on their rights. I have not claimed any dispensing power such as described in the Question. But the Governor-General in Council has power, under section 22 of the Sea Customs Act, 1878, to exempt any imported goods from the whole or any part of the Customs duties leviable on such goods.

MR. MACLEAN

May I ask whether the Governor-General in Council has put the powers under the Act mentioned into force?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

The Governor-General has the power of exemption, if he wishes to exercise it, and that power has been exercised in the past.

MR. MACLEAN

As the noble Lord seems to dispute the accuracy of my figures, may I, with the indulgence of the House, be permitted to read the particulars upon which they were based, and which have been certified by the Statistical Office of the Custom House in London?

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member cannot now discuss the answer of the Government.

MR. MACLEAN

Of course, Sir, I bow to your ruling, but is a Member of this House to have the accuracy of his statement impugned by a Minister and to sit under it without making any correction?

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member was proceeding to argue in favour of the accuracy of his figures as against the accuracy of the statement of the Government. He cannot be permitted to do that on a Question.

MR. MACLEAN

No, Sir, I was not proceeding to argue. (Interruption from Ministerial supporters.) If Mr. Speaker orders me to sit down, I will do so. Or I can go over to the other side, if honourable Members wish. (The honourable Member thereupon crossed over to the other side of the House.) I do not wish to argue, Sir, but I have some figures which have been certified by the Custom House and which the noble Lord has contradicted.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

I beg pardon. Not contradicted.

MR. MACLEAN

Well, thrown suspicion upon them.

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member, I must point out, is raising a discussion upon the Answer given. That cannot be done. If the honourable Member has any further facts to bring out he can put down a further Question on the Paper; he cannot proceed to argue with the view to satisfying the House that his figures are correct.

MR. MACLEAN

Then, Sir, may I after Questions move the adjournment of the House?

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