§ MR. WHITE RIDLEY (Stalybridge)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will grant the Returns as to Cotton, Woollen, and Iron goods standing on to-day's Notice Paper.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) These Returns would be very laborious, and to some extent impossible, to furnish, and having regard to the amount of work at present thrown on the Department I am afraid I cannot accede to my hon. friend's request.
The Return referred to is as follows:—
- 1. Cotton.—Return showing for each year from 1890 to 1902, inclusive—(a) with regard to the United Kingdom (1) total consumption of cotton in the United Kingdom, with particulars of the chief sources of supply; (2) total exports of cotton manufactures from the United Kingdom to foreign countries, to self-governing colonies, to India, and to other British possessions; (3) total imports of cotton manufactures into the United Kingdom; (b) with regard to the United States and Germany (1) total consumption of cotton; (2) total exports of cotton manufactures; (3) total imports of cotton manufactures, giving separately the amount of such imports from the United Kingdom.
- 2. Woollen Goods.—Return showing for each year from 1890 to 1902, inclusive—(a) with regard to the United Kingdom (1) total production of woollen manufactures; (2) total exports, quantities and values, of woollen manufactures to foreign countries, self-governing colonies, India, and other British possessions; (3) total imports of woollen manufactures; (b) with regard to the United States and Germany (1) total production of woollen manufactures; (2) total exports, quantities and values, of woollen manufactures; (3) total imports, quantities and values, of woollen manufactures, giving separately the quantities anal values of such imports from the United Kingdom.
- 3. Iron and Steel.—Return showing for each year from 1890 to 1902, Meinsive—(a) with regard to the United Kingdom (1) total production of iron and steel manufactures; (2) total exports, quantities and values, of iron and steel manufactures to foreign countries, to self-
675 governing colonies, to India, and to other British possessions; (3) total imports of iron and steel manufactures; (b) with regard to the United States and Germany (1) total production of iron and steel manufactures; (2) total exports, quantities and values, of iron and steel manufactures; (3) total imports, quantities and values, of iron and steel manufactures, giving separately the quantities and values of such imports from the United Kingdom.