HC Deb 20 July 1925 vol 186 cc1812-3
24. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of a protest sent by the Indian Merchants' Association at Wembley to the controller of the Indian section and to the High Commissioner for India that at least goods not made in the Empire should not be sold in the Indian pavilion; and whether, in view of the hardships of Indian merchants and the competition they have to face with machine-made non-Indian goods sold in the Indian pavilion, he will request the British Empire Exhibition authorities to set apart at least one section of the Indian pavilion where purely Indian goods goods will be sold or, alternatively, give certificates to such of the Indian merchants who are actually selling or bind themselves to sell only Indian goods to that effect?

Mr. SAMUEL

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have already forwarded the hon. Member's suggestions to the authorities of the British Empire Exhibition, and they are giving them their consideration.

Colonel DAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these goods will be withdrawn?

Mr. SAMUEL

I think that in some cases, where there has been actual proof that the goods should not have been in the building for sale, they have been withdrawn.