HC Deb 03 March 1908 vol 185 cc527-8
MR. REES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, since the imposition of the increased duties by Russia on tea imported by the Black Sea route from India, there has been an increase in the imports of Indian tea into Russia by the Siberian Railway.

MR. J. A. PEASE (; for Sir EDWARD GREY) Essex, Saffron Walden

The Imports of tea via the Black Sea have decreased, and the imports via Siberia have increased, owing, it is stated, to the more favourable tariff on the land frontier. But the Russian statistics do not make any distinction between Indian and other teas, so that it is not possible to give the specific information desired.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)

Is it not the fact that the imports of the Indian tea into Russia have practically trebled during the past four years?

MR. J. A. PEASE

I have said that the Russian Government do not particularise the origin of the tea; therefore I cannot give the information asked for.

* MR. REES

Apparently it is not, as is often represented, a case of Russian retaliation?

[No Answer was returned.]

Forward to