§ 39. Mr. T. Reidasked the Minister of Food the export duties on tea proposed by the Governments of India and Ceylon; and the approximate increase in price per lb. which these taxes would cause to British tea drinkers.
§ Mr. StracheyI understand that the duties on Indian tea will be 2 annas per lb. from 16th January, and on supplies from Ceylon 38 rupees 15 annas per 100 lb.—an increase of 35 rupees—from 28th January. These represent increases of 2¼d. and 6.89d. per lb. respectively in the cost at source, but it is not yet possible to estimate what increase in the price in this country will result from these duties and from the discontinuance of the bulk purchase arrangements which were in force until the end of last year.