§ Mr. RICEasked the Prime Minister why the Government allows the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes in India to be protected against competition from the United Kingdom and other countries and yet refuses to protect the manufacture of goods in this country against foreign competition?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I may remind the hon. Member that, in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Christchurch on 10th March last, on the subject of the Indian Tobacco Duties, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India stated that the duties in question have been imposed for revenue, and for no other purposes, and involve no alteration of the fiscal principles of Indian finance. I may further remind him that my hon. Friend added that the Government of India were considering the question of putting a corresponding Excise duty upon tobacco manufactured in India.
§ Mr. RICECan the Prime Minister say when the Government of India are likely to give an answer to this question, which was raised two or three months ago?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.