§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushclifie)To ask the President of the Board of Trade, in what Parliamentary Paper a succinct statement of the various changes in the tariffs of foreign countries during 1902 and 1903 can be found; and, if such does not exist, whether he will 543 cause such a Paper to be compiled and laid upon the Table.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) The Return of Foreign Import Duties issued by the Board of Trade contains a detailed account of the rates of duty levied in the principal commercial countries on the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom. A summary is prefixed to the Return showing briefly the principal changes since the publication of the previous Return. The last number of this Return (which is now published annually) was issued in November last (Cd. 1735 of 1903), and the previous Return was dated May, 1902 (Cd. 780 of 1902.) Particulars of changes of foreign tariffs are noted as they occur in the Board of Trade Journal. If the information contained in these Returns is not sufficient for the hon. Member's purpose I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.