§ 17. Mr. Leonardasked the President of the Board of Trade the wholesale price of Java tea in 1932 and the price last week for Java tea, together with the figures at the same periods for Ceylon teas?
Mr. StanleyAccording to information published by the Tea Brokers' Association of London, the average wholesale price of Java tea in 1932 was 6.42d. per lb., and in the week ended 15th July, 1937, 13.12d. per lb. The average prices of Ceylon tea in the same periods were 11.17d. and 15.15d. per lb., respectively. The prices are exclusive of duty.
§ Mr. LeonardIs not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to agree that a great weight has been put on the poorer types of tea, and will he draw the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the unfair incidence of taxation on these types of tea?
Mr. StanleyAs a matter of fact I do not think that the figures can be taken entirely on their face value, because I understand that there has been a considerable increase in the quality of Java tea which accounts to some extent for the increase in price.
§ Mr. LeonardDoes not that still leave a considerable difference between Ceylon and Java teas; and that the cheaper teas are still consumed by the poorer sections of the community?
Mr. StanleyI understand that owing to bad weather the quality of Ceylon tea during the last few years has been lower and that of Java tea higher, so that the difference is not as great as it was.
§ Mr. George GriffithsDo not the Government take matters on their face value just when it suits them?