§ MR. J. DEVLINI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he could state the quantity and the value of the linen goods exported from Belfast for each of the ten years ending 31st December. 1898–1907, inclusive; the maximum quantity and value of the linen goods exported from Belfast in any one year; the minimum quantity and value of linen goods exported from Belfast in any one year; the average number of men women, and children employed in mills and factories connected with the linen trade in Belfast during the period 1898–1907, inclusive; the average wages earned by them, and the number of hours worked by them per day, respectively; the number of men, women, and children employed during the months of December, 1907, and January, 1908, the hours worked by them per day, and the average wages earned by them, respectively; and the total quantity and value of linen goods exported from Belfast during December, 1907, and January, 1908.
§ MR. CHERRYIt is assumed that by goods exported the hon. Member means goods actually shipped from Belfast, including trans-channel shipments. I am informed by the Department of Agriculture that the quantity and value of linen goods so shipped from Belfast were: In 1904, 951,760 cwts., £7,138,200; in 1905, 998,500 cwts., £7,488,750; and in 1906, 1,089,880 cwts., £8,991,550. Prior to 1904 the Department did not collect such statistics, and the figures for 1907 are not yet available. For information upon the remaining points of the Question the hon. Member should address my right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade.