§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what is the increase of imports and of exports for the first six months of 1903 compared with the figures of last year, and what has been the average annual increase of imports and of exports in the periods 1873–1882, 1883–1892, and 1893–1902.
(Answered by Mr. Bonar Law.) There was a decrease in the value of our imports in the first six months of this year as compared with last of £2,210,000, and an increase of £7,147,051 in our exports of British produce, and of 309 £3,229,026 in our re-exports of Foreign and Colonial produce. The figures asked for in the second part of the Question are as follows:—
Periods. Average Annual Value. Increase. £ £ Imports:— 1873–1882 383,792,000 — 1883–1892 399,517,000 15,725,000 1893–1902 465,160,000 65,643,000 Exports of British Produce:— 1873–1882 220,065,000 — 1883–1892 234,203,000 14,138,000 1893–1902 *245,445,000 11,242,000 Re-exports of Foreign and Colonial Produce:— 1873–1882 58,316,000 — 1883–1892 62,425,000 4,109,000 1893–1902 61,509,000 (-) 916,000 * Excluding the value of new ships and their machinery, not recorded before 1899.