§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the quantity of food exported from Ireland, and to the fact that food forms the largest part of the imports into Great Britain, and in view of the desirability of making the Returns of these imports complete and accurate, especially with regard to butter, meat, eggs, and poultry, he will undertake to separate in future editions of the Statistical Abstract and other returns of figures the exports and imports of Ireland from those of Great Britain.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralNo account is kept by the Customs Department of the removal of goods generally from one part of the Kingdom to another, and it is therefore impossible to comply with the hon. Member's suggestion in this respect. Particulars of the direct foreign trade of Irish ports distinguishing principal articles are already given in Volume II. of the "Annual Statement of Trade."
§ MR. LOUGHIs it not the fact that the expense of doing this work is charged on the Irish Estimates. Is it not of great 465 importance that we should have some account?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThat (Question should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ *MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydfil)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the early part of the last century the exports from Ireland to Great Britain were always given separately?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURReally I have no control over the Customs. That is no part of the duty of the Board of Trade. These Questions must be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.