27. Mr. A. RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that large quantities of railway material are from time to time ordered by the Indian State railways from the Continent of Europe, particularly from the Hungarian State railway workshops which are not subject to ordinary trading conditions; and what steps he proposes to take to secure a preference for British interests in this matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)Orders for stores required for the Indian State Railways have been placed on the Continent from time to time but the proportion of orders so placed has been by no means large. The Royal Hungarian State Works have obtained some of these orders where their tenders were most advantageous to India. In accordance with the practice which has frequently been explained 'in the House I am not in a position to take any steps in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.
Mr. RAMSAYIs the House to assume from that reply that the India Office do not consider that they have any responsibility whatever for advancing British trade interests in India?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe hon. Gentleman must not make that assumption.