§ 30. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the export duties now levied on tea exported by India, Pakistan, Ceylon and Indonesia to this country; and if, in order to reduce the price of tea in Britain, he will make representations to these countries to reduce or abolish these duties.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe current export duties on tea are as follows:
I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by representations at the present time to secure the reduction or abolition of these duties. I should point out, however, that Pakistan and Ceylon have recently reduced them, and Indonesia suspended the duty of 8 per cent. as from 1st April, 1951.
- India—4 annas per lb.
- Pakistan—3 annas per lb.
- Ceylon—35 cents per lb.
- Indonesia—Nil.
§ Mr. ReidIs it not a fact that sometimes these export duties mean that those countries are compelling the consumer of tea in Britain to contribute to their revenue?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftOf course these export taxes are part of the fiscal policy of the countries concerned and, as such, are in the first instance primarily a matter for them.