§ 2. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that duty at the rate of 15 per cent. is levied upon cakes and puddings consigned from England to members of His Majesty's forces stationed in India, and a duty of 75 per cent. is levied upon cigarettes; that the imposition of these taxes constitutes a great hardship; and whether something can be done to secure some relief from these duties?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The ordinary duties are levied on goods consigned to members of His Majesty's Forces stationed in India, and the Government of India see no reason to change this practice.
§ Viscount CURZONCould not the hon. Gentleman again refer the matter to the Government of India to see whether this small concession to our forces, who very often serve under hard conditions on the frontier, could not be made?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe question has been referred to them several times.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNHow is it a hardship to the people in India unless the consumer pays the tax?