§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the world production of gold at gold par in the year 1934; and what had been the greatest world production of gold at gold par in any one year previous to 1930?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe world production of gold in 1934 has been estimated at £116,200,000, par value, and that in 1915, the year of greatest world production before 1930, at £96,400,000.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the excess of imports of gold over exports of gold at gold par during the five-year period from the beginning of 1930 to the end of 1934?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe available statistics of imports and exports of gold for 1930–33 are to be found in the Annual Statement of Trade for 1933 (Vol. I,
490Wmolasses used for distilling during the distilling year ended 30th September, 1935, together with the number of bulk barrels of beer brewed and the number of gallons of spirits distilled during the same period?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am having the information for which my hon. Friend asks collected, and will communicate it to him as soon as possible.
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the number of standard and bulk barrels produced and retained for consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years ended 30th September, 1934 and 1935?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe number of standard and bulk barrels of beer produced and retained for consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the years ended 30th September, 1934 and 1935, is as follows:
pages 627–32 and 640–5), and for 1934 in the monthly Trade and Navigation Accounts for December, 1934 (pages 249–54). I regret that, as the fineness of the unrefined gold is not indicated in the returns, it is not possible to state its exact par value. For the last three years estimates of the par value of the excess of imports of gold have been made by the Board of Trade, in connection with their annual calculation of the balance of payments, as follows:
Millions. £ 1932 … … … … 12½ 1933 … … … … 133 1934 … … … … 82½