§ 48. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the Board of Trade abstract giving the annual balance of overseas trade, which shows that the net favourable balance after allowing for total invisible exports was, for the year 1930, only £39,000,000, a decline of £99,000,000 from 1929; and whether he can state what steps he is taking to meet the balance of imports of foodstuffs, raw materials and manufactured goods in view of the continued fall in exports?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)I am aware of this estimate. It would clearly be impossible to deal with the subject within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.
§ Sir B. PETODoes the Financial Secretary not think that the figures indicate that it is necessary to take some steps to lessen the import of manufactured goods which we are quite capable of manufacturing ourselves?
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTMay I ask if the Government are proposing to set up a committee to consider 1850 this question, and will they be sure to see that two of its members are Sir Josiah Stamp and Professor Keynes?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSAnd Commander Kenworthy.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEQuite clearly, that does not arise out of the question on the Paper.