HC Deb 08 May 1907 vol 174 cc210-1
MR. HARMOOD-BANNER (Liverpool, Everton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the views enunciated by Sir J. L. Makay on behalf of India at the Colonial Conference, on the question of preferential tariff, were given on the authority of the Indian Council of State, or the Viceroy, or the Secretary of State for India; and, if not, on whose authority, by resolution or otherwise, were the statements made.

MR. MORLEY

Sir James Mackay was deputed by me, as Minister responsible for India, to take my place at the Conference. He is a Member of the Council of India, with peculiarly extensive knowledge of all the facts of Indian trade and commerce, and I assumed that this knowledge would be of value as a contribution to the discussions of the Conference. Of course I was acquainted with his opinions on the controversy as to preference. He made his statements on his own authority, but his statements of fact do not seem to have been shaken, and in his inferences from them both I and other members of His Majesty's Government who were present entirely concur.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

asked if Sir James Mackay had consulted in any way the chambers of commerce of Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and the other great centres of India, or firms in this country trading with India.

MR. MORLEY

What consultations Sir James Mackay had I do not know, but I may state that he was himself for many years resident in and connected with trade in India, and knows thoroughly well what are the views of the trading community in India.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

Was he engaged in trade in India?

MR. MORLEY

Certainly—so I understand.

SIR H. COTTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Sir James Mackay was for several years president of the chamber of commerce of Calcutta?

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman can supplement that information by saying whether Sir James Mackay represents the opinions of the chamber of commerce of Calcutta at the present time.

MR. MORLEY

I must have notice of that, but I do not know that it conies within my Department to find out the opinions of the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.

SIR GEORGE DOUGHTY (Great Grimsby)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the free trade policy pursued in India is destroying the native industry?

[No Answer was returned.]