HC Deb 08 June 1931 vol 253 cc596-7
15. Sir GERALD HURST

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, before the resumption of the Round Table Conference, he will take steps to elicit the opinion of the Indian States as to the effect of the import duties on English cotton goods upon the prices and the available supplies of such goods within their territories?

Mr. BENN

Customs policy in its relation to Federation is a matter which can be raised at the resumed meetings of the Federal Structure Committee.

Sir G. HURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question and say whether he will take steps to elicit the opinion of the Indian States as to the effect of the import duties'?

Mr. BENN

I have said that, when the matter becomes relevant, and when we have a locus for making such inquiries, we shall do so, and that will be when the Federal Structure Committee meets.

Sir G. HURST

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is an urgent and vital question and does not brook delay at all?

Mr. SANDHAM

Has the right hon. Gentleman made himself acquainted with the enormous profits that the Bombay mill-owners are making at the present time?

16. Sir G. HURST

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the value of cotton goods exported from the United Kingdom to India for the first five months of 1931; and how does such value compare with the corresponding figures for the first five months of 1929?

Mr. BENN

The figure for the first four months of 1931 is £1,983,000 as compared with £10,874,000 for the first four months of 1930.* The average price for this period of 1931 was some 25 per cent. lower than that for the corresponding period of 1930.* The figures for May are not yet available.

Sir G. HURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question which I put as to how such value compares with the corresponding figures for the first five months of 1929?

Mr. BENN

If the hon. and learned Member had done me the courtesy of listening to the answer which I have given, he would have heard that I have given the exact information for which he asked.

Sir G. HURST

Has the right hon. Gentleman not the values for 1929? I did not ask for the figures for 1930?

Mr. BENN

I do not know whether it is a misprint in my answer. If it is I apologise to the hon. and learned Member and I will put the matter right.

Sir G. HURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that those figures are passed on to those concerned in the Ardwick by-election?

Mr. BENN

I shall publish them.

[* "1930" in each case should read "1929."]