§ 1. Mr. HANNONasked the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that applications have been received by the Indian Tariff Board from the paper, printing ink, boots and shoes, and cement and magnesium chloride industries, requesting that protection should be afforded to these industries; and whether, since the grant of such pro 3 tection will operate against British export trade with India, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to endeavour to come to some arrangement with the Government of India on this question?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. R. Richards)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Secretary of State does not think that he could usefully consider the propriety of making any representations to the Government of India before the Tariff Board have reported.
§ Mr. HANNONIs there no means by which friendly suggestions can be made in cases of this kind in the interests of British trade?
Sir HENRY COWANAre the Government in favour of Protection in India while opposed to Protection in this country?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe views of the Government are quite well known. With regard to the first supplementary question, I think it would be unwise to make any representations until the Tariff Board has reported.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNIs there any reason to suppose that the Government of India have been perusing and profiting by the literature of the Tariff Reform League?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANCan the hon. Gentleman explain why these British products, which are manufactured by more highly-paid labour than similar products in India, are able to compete in India with the more cheaply produced goods?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is more a matter for debate.