§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government, for the purpose of local improvements in Calcutta, proposes to tax jute, both raw and manufactured; if so, what are the definite proposal; and whether time will be given jute merchants and manufacturers in this country to make representations respecting them.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) A tax on jute has been proposed by the Government of Bengal as one of the special taxes for meeting the cost of extensive sanitary improvements in Calcutta. The tax would not exceed 10s. on £100's worth of jute. It would take the form of an export duty on jute, raw and manufactured, shipped from Bengal, and of an Excise duty on jute made up in Indian mills, but not exported. Legislation will be required before the Calcutta improvement scheme or the taxation it entails can take effect. Full opportunity will be given to the affected classes of the community to consider the proposals and to make any representations that they may deem necessary.