1. Sir Nairne Stewart Sandemanasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make representations to the Government of India to the effect that a 20 per cent. tariff on British cotton goods entering India is unnecessary for the protection of Indian industry, in view of the fact that Indian cotton goods are competing 1610 with British cotton goods in the Colonial markets without special protection or concessions?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Butler)My Noble Friend regrets that he is unable to act as suggested. As stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade last Tuesday, in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Duckworth), the point will be borne in mind in the negotiations for a new trade agreement between this country and India.
Sir N. Stewart SandemanNow that the unilateral fiscal convention is out of the way, surely something can be done to get this tariff reduced, so that Lancashire may have a chance of getting back some of the trade of which we were deprived by the fiscal convention?
§ Mr. ButlerAs was said by my hon. Friend, there will be an opportunity for negotiation this summer.