§ 25. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the effect and operation of the decision to reduce the production of tea in India by one-eighth, he will reconsider the reimposition of price controls for tea.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI think that the hon. Member has in mind a scheme of voluntary limitation of production which was abandoned. Export quotas remain unchanged at levels which do not, in practice, restrict supplies.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I have had this confirmed from India House, and that the import of tea this year is substantially less—16 per cent. less—than it was in the corresponding period last year, which is a disturbing thing, and that, therefore, it is not surprising that the price of tea is again going up on Monday by a further 4d.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThere is no inconsistency between what the hon. Gentleman says and what I have said. Earlier this year a scheme was proposed by the India Tea Association to restrict imports which has since been dropped.