HC Deb 17 March 1899 vol 68 cc1155-6
MR. MACLEAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a statement made yesterday by Lord Selborne, speaking on behalf of the Colonial Office, that, assuming countervailing duties to be expedient— it was idle for the West Indian sugar planters to contend that they had yet converted public opinion, as a whole, to their views, for many who supported the present Government would not accept the principle of countervailing duties. It was no good of them living in a fool's paradise, and that was why he had laid stress on the fact that they could not deal with the Question unless they had public opinion entirely behind them"; and whether, in face of the declaration that the Colonial Secretary intends to bow to public opinion in this matter, he still means to persevere with the Indian Countervailing Duties Bill?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

My honourable Friend will observe that Lord Selborne's observations apply solely to the imposition of countervailing duties in this country. But he did not say (as the Question implies) that public opinion was against the imposition of countervailing duties in this country, but that public opinion, as a whole, was not yet on that side. The conditions surrounding the sugar trade in Great Britain are the reverse of those existing in India, and in India, where the countervailing duties are about to be imposed, public opinion is, I believe, unanimous in their favour.

MR. MACLEAN

I should like to ask the noble Lord if he really assumes that India is governed without any regard to the public opinion of the country?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The honourable Member is trying to raise a Debate.

MR. MACLEAN

It is so difficult to raise a Debate in this House.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)

As the noble Lord has stated that the conditions in India are the reverse of those existing in this country, I desire to ask whether there is any difference between here and India excepting that the consumers are not represented there, while they are represented here?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That Question is open to the same objection.

SIR W. LAWSON

I beg to ask the noble Lord how he arrives at the public opinion of India?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

Through the recognised channels of public opinion.