HC Deb 16 April 1934 vol 288 cc685-6
1. Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will obtain from the Government of India assurances that effective measures are being taken to prevent Japan evading her quota restrictions by smuggling goods into British India through the ports of native States?

The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)

I can assure the hon. Member that the Government of India are fully aware of the necessity for securing the co-operation of the States in carrying out the quota arrangement between India and Japan, and there is no reason to anticipate that this cooperation will not be accorded.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently a steamer calling from Japan landed something like 14,400 packages of cotton-piece goods at a small native State port, and that this quantity is considerably in excess of the total importations into Bombay per month from all sources? In view of the extraordinary state of affairs which that importation indicates, will the right hon. Gentleman have special inquiries made into this matter?

Sir S. HOARE

I was not aware of the details of the case mentioned by my hon. Friend, but I will at once call the attention of the Government of India to it, and communicate with my hon. Friend when I receive a reply.

Captain CAZALET

Is it not a fact that the whole question of Kathiawar, and, in particular, that of Bhaunagar, is being investigated by the Government of India at the present time?

Sir S. HOARE

Yes, that is generally the case.

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