§ MR. O'MARAI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the estimated total value of Irish imports in the year ending December 31st, 1905, under the following heads of food stuff's, raw materials, manufactured or partly manufactured articles respectively, and the estimated increase or decrease compared with 1904.
MR. BRYCEThe Department of Agriculture are not yet in a position to form an estimate of the cross-channel trade for the year 1905, to which it is presumed that the Question refers. The foreign trade Returns are prepared by the Customs authorities, and are annually presented to Parliament.
§ MR. O'MARAWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to expedite the getting of this information?
MR. BRYCEI have no doubt the Department will get it as early as possible. I will convey the hon. Member's wish to it.