§ 45. Sir GERALD HURSTasked the Prime Minister if he has considered the resolution of the, India section of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, approved by its board of directors, urging His Majesty's Government at the Round Table Conference to uphold the necessity of guarding the industrial and commercial existence of Great Britain against suppression by penal tariffs within the Empire; and what steps he proposes to take in consequence?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)I am not altogether clear as to what is meant by penal tariffs, but, in any case, the hon. Member must realise that there can be no question of limiting the measure of fiscal independence now enjoyed by India.
§ Sir G. HURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the disastrous effect of the allowance by his Government of the increased duties in India?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe terminology is somewhat inexact There is no question of allowance by our Government. India has fiscal independence.