HC Deb 23 May 1907 vol 174 c1163
MR. FORSTER (Kent, Sevenoaks)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Darlington, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the imperfections of the machinery classification in the annual statements of the trade of the United Kingdom, and the difficulty of comparing the growth of trade in any particular branch of the engineering industries; and whether he will take steps, by the appointment of a Departmental Committee or otherwise, to rearrange the classification of this industry in closer accord with the present organisation of the trade.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. KEARLEY,) Devonport

The Board of Trade will take steps to consult representative organisations of manufacturers or traders interested and will also refer the question raised by the hon. Member to the Departmental Committee which meets every autumn for the purpose of considering suggestions affecting the form and scope of the trade accounts to be issued for the ensuing year.