HC Deb 06 December 1956 vol 561 cc1429-30
18. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken following the increase by India of the export duty on tea by over 30 per cent. from 1st December.

Mr. Amory

None, Sir. The price of tea in the auctions here is governed by supply and demand.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Can my right hon. Friend say what effect he expects this to have on the price of tea? Is the answer to that question also, "None"?

Mr. Amory

Yes, Sir, I think it is. As an indication of that, the prices in the Calcutta auction on Monday fell by precisely the amount by which the export duty had been increased.