§ 68. Captain NORTHasked the Secretary of State for India what is the present amount of preference given to British as opposed to foreign cotton goods and 2086 machinery imported into India: at what date the last change was made; and what have been the results of this change on the imports of British and foreign cotton goods and machinery into India?
Captain HUDSONThe ad valorem percentage rate on cotton piece goods of British manufacture is 25 as against 31¼ on those of foreign manufacture. British and foreign machinery pay the same rate, 10 per cent. The differential rates on cotton piece-goods were first imposed in 1930 when they were 15 and 20 per cent., respectively. A year ago the rates were raised to 20 and 25 per cent., and last September to their present figure. Too many other factors have been operating since 1930 to allow of any reasonable estimate of the results of the differential duty.