§ MR. REESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any figures are available showing the export of tea from India by the Quetta-Nushki route; and whether he is aware that the export of indifferent tea from India by this route has prejudiced the development and the sale of Indian tea in Persia and Beluchistan.
§ MR. MORLEYThe reports on the Quetta-Nushki route do not give the figures of tea carried. The returns of trade by land between British India and foreign countries show exports of Indian tea to Persia, value £512 in 1904–5, £641 in 1905–6, £157 in 1906–7. I have seen a reference in the Indian Trade Journal to the inferior quality of the tea found in the bazaars 668 in Seistan and Kain, but I have no other information.
§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman account for this diminution?
§ MR. MORLEYNo, Sir; I am afraid I cannot.