§ 11. Mr. R. DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the representations made to the Government of India for the removal of the import duty on raw cinema films in India, he will say what steps they propose to take for the encouragement of the Indian film industry?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs a consequence of the Ottawa Agreement, the Indian import duty on United Kingdom raw films has been reduced to 15 per cent., that on other raw films remaining at 25 per cent. The Government of India have also abolished a Customs concession which was until recently accorded to films printed abroad from Indian negatives.
§ Mr. DAVIESIs it not true that, in spite of the Ottawa Agreements, there is a 15 per cent. customs duty against this country?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Member will see that in consequence of the Ottawa Agreements the duty has been reduced to 15 per cent.
§ Mr. DAVIESIt is still the fact, therefore, that there is a 15 per cent. duty against us in India in spite of the Ottawa Agreements?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Member really puts a wrong construction on my answer. My answer goes to show that the duty has been reduced, and that the British preference is greater now than it was before the Ottawa Agreements.