§ 19. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that in the three and a half years before the War nearly 19,500,000 cowhides were exported from India to the ports of Hamburg, Bremen, and Trieste, and this important Indian trade had practically passed into German hands, he will now state what measures have been taken, or are being 688 taken, by the Government of India or the Home Government to prevent the possibility of this German monopoly ever being re-established, and to ensure that in future the industry shall be wholly British and Indian?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on the 10th July to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford.
§ Colonel YATEIs there any reason why there should be any further delay in settling this matter definitely; why is it still under consideration?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is not under consideration. I gave a complete reply, showing that the German influence in this trade has been completely and permanently removed.
§ Colonel YATEWere not the words which the right hon. Gentleman used, "The Government of India have the future regulation of this trade under consideration"?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes; that refers to the after-the-war policy. I think all the steps possible for the moment have been taken.