HC Deb 21 May 1908 vol 189 cc491-2
MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, under the present Indian tariff, alcohol, sulphur, saltpetre, borax, hides, skins, pitch, tar, stone, marble, cement, lime, flax, hemp, and silk, and all sorts of dyeing and tanning materials, are subject to a 5 per cent. tax; and whether the articles so taxed are regarded by the Indian Government as raw materials or as manufactured articles.

MR. BUCHANAN

The Answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second Question, the Indian Trade Returns show some of the articles in question under the head of raw materials and others under other heads. I have no other information as to how they are regarded by the Government of India.

MR. HAROLD COX

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a distinguished ex-Viceroy has recently suggested that this tariff should be applied to this country?

MR. BUCHANAN

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

MR. HUNT

asked if the salt extracted from the sea by the Indian natives for their own use was treated as a manufactured article.

MR. BUCHANAN

It is not imported into India.

MR. HUNT

But do the Indian peasants have to pay taxes on the salt they thus extract?

* MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.