HC Deb 17 March 1931 vol 249 c1856
46. Mr. O. LEWIS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the proposed scheme for the restriction of the Indian, Ceylon, and Java tea crops for 1931 has been abandoned, and that in consequence tea planters in India and Ceylon are faced with competition from the Dutch East Indies; and whether he will consider giving some preference to tea grown in the British Empire by means of a tax on foreign tea?

Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.

Mr. LEWIS

Has the hon. Gentleman received representations from any of the importing interests concerned?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

I cannot go into that question, and I should require notice of it.

Mr. WHITE

Will the hon. Gentleman, in considering this matter, bear in mind the fact that when there was a preference one of the results was to divert this tea into Australian and other markets to the detriment of British planters in Ceylon and elsewhere, who had spent much money and time in preparing for this market?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

I have no doubt that that question will be taken into account.