HC Deb 15 April 1920 vol 127 cc1848-9
Sir J. D. REES

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Nyasaland proposes to levy an export duty upon cotton, following on the like levy on tobacco, and, if so, whether he will instruct the Governor to delay action till the question of the levy of export duties on raw products in British possessions has been discussed and approved by Parliament?

Lieut.-Colonel AMERY

Yes, Sir. The new duties in Nyasaland include an export duty on cotton and are, as I have explained in answer to a previous question, necessary to enable the Protectorate to pay its way. I doubt if it would be desirable, either from the point of view of this House or of the Empire at large, for the budgets of all the many British Colonies and Protectorates, which are framed and in the main settled locally according to local considerations, to be discussed in detail by Parliament before they can be approved. I may say that export duties on raw products are enforced in many British territories, where they are found to be a convenient form of raising revenue.

Sir J. D. REES

Is he aware that the reason for this extra taxation is the making of a railway which is to take a route, of which the whole trade and commerce of the country disapproves, and that this adds to the objection raised additional point and strength, and is it not, in point of fact, a new policy in respect of the raw products of British possessions?

Lieut.-Colonel AMERY

No, I am not aware of either of the suggestions contained in the question. Export duties have been enforced for a very considerable time in different parts of the British Empire, and these particular duties have been imposed in local budgets to enable the Protectorate to pay its way, irrespective of the particular question of the railway which was contemplated, which, I gather, my hon. Friend does not particularly care for.

Sir J. D. REES

Will he, in making the representations he has promised about tobacco, urge that it is still more urgent in respect of cotton, and that the objection is still greater?