HC Deb 12 March 1917 vol 91 c695
14. Sir CHARLES HENRY

asked the Secretary of State for India if when it was decided to raise the Import Duties on cotton goods it was considered to give any preference, and, if so, to what extent, on the cotton goods imported from the United Kingdom and the Dominions and any degree of preference on those goods imported from the countries of our Allies?

The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)

No, Sir. The increased Customs Duty was imposed for revenue purposes, and the whole of the proceeds are for the present required to meet the new charges incurred by India for the War.

Sir C. HENRY

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether in framing these duties he did not have any regard to the Tariff Article of the Paris Resolutions?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

If my hon. Friend means had I those Resolutions in my mind, of course I had. But if he means was I able, in dealing with this particular charge in the duties, to give effect to them, then the answer is, "No, I was not." That is a question which will properly come under consideration, and I hope will come under consideration in regard to a review of Imperial policy and of our own fiscal policy when the War is over.

Sir C. HENRY

Then as it stands at present, cotton goods from the United States or Germany will go into India on the same terms as cotton goods from this country?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes. In that respect no change is made from the conditions hitherto prevailing.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that the duty was levied for revenue purposes only, will he say why no countervailing excise was levied?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think -that requires explanation to anyone except the hon. Gentleman himself.