HC Deb 29 July 1918 vol 109 cc16-7
18. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the importance of lac to the commercial and military interests of the Empire and the fact that India holds a practical monopoly of this natural resin, large quantities of which used to go to Hamburg and Bremen before the War, information can be given as to what measures will be adopted by the Indian Government to encourage the production of Indian lac and facilitate supplies to British markets?

Mr. MONTAGU

I can at present make no statement on the subject, but the general question of post-war economic policy is now engaging the close and constant attention of the Government of India?