§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India and the provincial Governments are able to guarantee that natural indigo shall not again be swamped by German synthetic indigo after the War; and whether great increase in production is assured if such guarantee can be given?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. Friend, as in duty bound, attributes unlimited power to the Government of India, but this power is in fact limited to their own sphere of action. The future of natural indigo depends mainly upon two factors —improvements in the methods of cultivation and of preparation of the dye for the market, and a settled and secure demand. The former may help to secure the latter, and the Government of India are doing all in their power to stimulate and assist the planters to place the industry on a sound commercial basis. I have already communicated with the other Departments of the Home Government which use indigo. I hope that after the War they will give favourable consideration to the claims of an Indian industry, but I cannot too strongly impress upon my hon. Friend, and through him on all concerned, that the planters themselves must co-operate td ensure more scientific cultivation, better preparation for the market and better marketing arrangements if durable results are to be secured.