§ Mr. MONDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would have the most important figures given in the Parliamentary Paper on the Cost of Living in German Towns, being the Report of an Inquiry by the Board of Trade into Working Class Rents, Housing, and Retail Prices, etc., published in 1908 [Cd. 4032], brought up to the end of the year 1909?
Mr. BUXTONThe information in the Report referred to by my hon. Friend was obtained by personal inquiries in Germany which occupied a very considerable time and involved great labour and expense. In order to bring the figures up to date similar prolonged inquiries would be necessary, and the Board of Trade cannot, I fear, at present undertake this work, in view of the other important inquiries on which they are engaged.
§ Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDWhen will the Report dealing with similar figures for the United States be published?
§ Mr. MONDIn view of the fact that Tariff Reform workmen have apparently been able to secure in ten days information which is entirely contradictory to the results of the investigations of the Board 339 of Trade, could not the right hon. Gentleman apply to them to supply him with information at a small expense in a short time?
Mr. BUXTONIf I thought the Board of Trade investigations were likely to be satisfactorily carried out in ten days I would certainly undertake them, but that is not the view of the Board.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWill the right hon. Gentleman publish the extensive reports of these working men?