§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that whereas in 1898 the total value of exports into South Africa from all sources amounted to £23,905,516, of which the British share was 69.4 per cent., in 1906 the total imports were £29,859,672, of which the British share was 56.8, while the share of competing foreign countries had increased from 19.5 per cent. to 21.8 per cent.; whether he can explain this comparative falling off of British trade; and whether the Government have formulated any proposals as an alternative to a preferential tariff, with the object of improving trade relations between the United Kingdom and South Africa.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe figures quoted as to the total value of imports into South Africa appear to be in substantial agreement with the Colonial trade returns. It should, however, be mentioned that the 1906 figures, which are compiled by the South African Statistical Bureau, are exclusive of Colonial Government stores. The proportion of imports from the United Kingdom in 1906 were somewhat less than in 1898, but not quite to the extent stated, owing to the exclusion of Government stores, which are largely imported from the United Kingdom. The causes which have affected this trade cannot be satisfactorily dealt with in answer to a Question, but I may say that the decreased proportion of trade with the United Kingdom is partly accounted for by the increased importation of foodstuffs from British possessions. Any practical proposal to improve trade relations between the United Kingdom and South Africa would receive the careful and sympathetic consideration of the Government.