§ 71. Sir WILLIAM LANE MITCHELL(for Sir FRANK NELSON), asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate loss of revenue experienced by the Governments of the Straits Settlements and Ceylon owing to the fall in the price of raw rubber since the removal of the Stevenson restriction scheme?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)The revenues of the Colonies named have fallen since 1928, but not more proportionally than that of most other countries. It is quite impossible to say how much is due to the fall in the price of rubber and how much to other causes.
§ 75. Sir W. LANE MITCHELL(for Sir F. NELSON) asked the Under-Secre- 788 tary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, with the price of raw rubber in the neighbourhood of 4d. per pound, the rubber-planting industry in the Straits Settlements and Ceylon is incurring losses; and will he state what His Majesty's Government propose to do to save the industry?
§ Dr. SHIELSI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bromley (Mr. Campbell) on the 6th of March.