§ 9. Mr. HAMILTON KERRasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet considered the appeal of the Government of Assam with regard to the position of the tea industry in that province; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?
§ 13. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary of State for India if he can make a statement as to the effect upon the financial position of the province of Assam of the removal of the Tea Duties in 1928; and whether he proposes to take any action with a view to improving it?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have considered the views of the Government of Assam. The fall in tea prices is, of course, only one instance of the general decline in the prices of staple commodities and in the circumstances it is impossible to estimate separately the effect of the removal of the tea duties in 1929. As regards the second part of both questions, I would refer my hon. Friends to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 4th February.
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXWill the right hon. Gentleman make representation to the Chancellor of the Exchequer so as to help the tea industry, as many of these firms are going bankrupt?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Chancellor of the Exchequer is, I know, in full possession of the relevant facts.