HC Deb 03 July 1882 vol 271 cc1234-5
MR. R. H. PAGET

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether he can arrange for the weekly publication in the "London Gazette," of a classified Return of the various articles of agricultural produce imported into this Country, such Return to afford information generally similar to that now given weekly in the Gazette with respect to importations of cotton and corn?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

Sir, I have been in communication with the Customs on this subject, and I hope to be able to arrange in a short time for the publication weekly, as desired by the hon. Member, of a classified Return of the various articles of agricultural produce imported into this country. Before the classification is definitely settled I will direct a list of the articles proposed to be included to be forwarded to the hon. Member, and shall be glad to receive his observations upon it.

MR. R. H. PAGET

asked the right hon. Gentleman, whether he would give directions that a distinction should be drawn at the Custom House between genuine produce and spurious produce?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

The question of distinguishing butterine and artificial butter generally from butter in the import statistics has been referred, with other questions of a similar character, to the Statistical Inquiry Committee now sitting. The Committee has not yet reported, and I have not seen the evidence taken; but I hope it may be found possible to make the distinction desired by the hon. Member.