§ *MR. REESI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Ceylon Government has recently informed the Secretary of State 966 for India that it declines to repeal the import duty on Indian tea; and, if so, whether the reasons for this decision have been given and can be communicated to the House.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, AbercrombyThe views of the Ceylon Government have been communicated to the Secretary of State for India. The Ceylon producers are strongly opposed to the repeal which, in the opinion of the local government, would not be in the interests of the Colony. It is held that the removal of the import duty would result in Indian tea being exported in circumstances which would lead the purchaser to suppose that it was the produce of Ceylon. The further objection is taken that, if this concession were made to India, it could hardly be refused in other directions. The late Secretary of State was of opinion that this is a matter in which the local view must prevail, as no Imperial interest is involved, and my noble friend sees no sufficient reason to adopt a different attitude.