HC Deb 21 February 1955 vol 537 c120W
Mr. Thornton

asked the President of the Board of Trade the rate of duty imposed on Indian cotton textiles entering the United Kingdom, and the rate of duty imposed on United Kingdom cotton textiles entering India; and which United Kingdom industries receive compensating advantages for the disadvantages imposed on the Lancashire cotton textile industry by the Indian Trade Agreement.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Indian cotton textiles enter the United Kingdom free of duty. The duties on United Kingdom cotton piece goods entering India are set out below. The effect of Article 1 of that Agreement is to accord duty-free entry to virtually all imports from India and not only to cotton textiles. The Fourth Schedule to the Agreement sets out the contractual preferences in India for United Kingdom goods. These represent useful advantages for the industries concerned. As indicated in the table below, cotton textiles, as well as artificial silk piece goods and certain classes of iron and steel products, enjoy preferences which are not specifically provided for in the Agreement.