§ 25. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India what undertakings trading in India at present receive subsidies from Government funds; and what products are subject to an export duty?
§ Sir S. HOARESo far as I am aware, no undertakings trading in India are at present subsidised by the Government of India. The products subject to export duty are raw jute, jute manufactures, raw hides and skins, and rice.
§ Sir A. KNOXAre not the Tata Ironworks subsidized?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir, not subsidised in the strict sense of the word. I understand that orders have been given to the firm for steel rails, but nothing in the nature of a subsidy has been given.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODSurely there is a bonus on their steel production?
§ Sir S. HOAREI should require notice of that question, as I should like to be quite accurate in any answer that I give to the House.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it, then, because of the cheap labour that they have in 322 India that Tata's are able to cut us out, particularly in Scotland, with pig iron?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question on the Paper.