§ * MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Ceylon Government subsidises the Ceylon Indian recruiting agency, which, therefore, is placed in a better position to compete with South Indian labour agencies and South Indian planters; and, if so, whether he will inquire into the matter in view to assist the South Indian planters, or take such steps as circumstances may require.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BUCHANAN, Perthshire, E.)The Secretary of State has not received any representations from India on this subject, but as at present advised he is not prepared to urge that aid should be given out of Indian revenues to South Indian labour agencies on the ground that the Ceylon Government gives a subsidy to the Ceylon labour agency.
§ * MR. REESIs it convenient that free trade and protection should be such near neighbours with such common interests?
§ MR. BUCHANANsaid he hoped India would not follow a bad example.