asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Indian Government have announced a 50 per cent. reduction in the export duty on tea, and, if so, what effect this reduction will have on tea prices in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export Duty on Tea.
I am informed that the rate of the export duty on tea fixed by the Indian Government rises and falls concurrently with world market prices of tea. The reduction in the export duty recently announced will have no immediate effect on tea prices in this country since, as I pointed out in reply to a question by the Deputy on the 28th April, 1955, tea is being sold here at substantially less than the economic price.