§ Captain FULLERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies at what rate the Ceylon Government impose an export duty on tea; and what is the revenue derived therefrom?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe export duty on tea is at present fixed at Rs. 2.37 per 100 lbs. This compares with a rate of Rs. 3 per 100 lbs. before 1st April, 1932. These rates include, in addition to the export duty which is imposed for purely revenue purposes, access under the Medical Wants Ordinance, which at present amounts to 15 cents per 100 lbs., and which is also paid into revenue. The cess represents the contribution of the tea industry towards the expenses of the medical needs of labourers in planting districts. The net revenue collected from the export duty, excluding the Medical Wants Cess, between 1st January and 31st December, 1932, was Rs. 5,980,236. Later figures are not available in this country. In addition, there are three cesses imposed to provide funds for certain specific purposes connected with the tea industry. Cesses of 14 cents and 50 cents per 100 lbs. respectively provide incomes for the Board of the Tea Research Institute of Ceylon, and for the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board. A further cess of 20 cents per 100 lbs. has recently been imposed to furnish funds for the administration of the Tea Restriction Scheme.