§ 1. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that in the, Indo-Japanese agreement and treaty, on account of the ratio of exchange being fixed on the lower basis on which it stood on 31st December, 1933, any British cotton piece-goods, even if the manufacturing costs were based on a parity with those of the Japanese, would enter British India on the present tariff rates at a disadvantage of 15 per cent. to 17 per cent. against their Japanese competitors; and what steps he intends to take to rectify this position?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)I am aware of the advantage enjoyed by Japanese exporters owing to the depreciation of the yen, but the position will be eased by the quantitative limitation of imports of Japanese cotton piece goods into India 1360 under the Indo-Japanese Commercial Convention as well as by the imposition of specific duties on particular classes of cotton piece goods.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYCan my right hon. Friend say whether the quantitative restrictions apply to the whole of India, that is to say, to the native States as well as to British India?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think I had better have notice of that question.