§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that re-exporters of foreign goods which have been imported into the United Kingdom are now required to furnish to the Board of Customs particulars of the countries from which those goods were originally consigned, he will say whether any remonstrances against this measure, on the ground that it involves the disclosure of trade secrets has been received by himself or by the President of the Board of Trade from chambers of commerce or from others; and, if so, will he say whether he will withdraw this order.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe name of the country whence the goods were originally consigned is required to be furnished in the case of all goods imported into the United Kingdom and of all such goods which are subsequently exported. This requirement was brought 620 into operation on 1st January last, at the request of the Manchester and other chambers of commerce, and no difficulty appears to be experienced by the majority of traders in complying with it. Remonstrances have been received by the Customs from a few firms only, and arrangements are now being made whereby traders who buy foreign goods and sell them to other firms for export may communicate direct to that department the required information as to the countries whence the goods were originally consigned, and thus obviate disclosure of the particulars to their customers. Such information is for statistical purposes only and is treated us confidential.