asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state from what plantation area in India Tea Importers, Limited, purchase teas, the brand of the teas purchased, the export tax charged and the effect on retail or wholesale prices in the Republic of this tax.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Tea.
I am informed by Tea Importers, Limited, that the plantation area which is the main source of the company's purchases of Indian teas is Assam and that the company also obtains some of its supplies from Cachar and Dooars.
I am also informed by the company that teas are not sold in India under brand, but on marks identifying the particular tea with the garden in which it was produced, and that there are several hundreds of these gardens.
The tax which is levied by the Indian Government on all exports of tea is approximately 4½d. per lb., and is reflected in the prices charged by Tea Importers, Limited.