§ Mr. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give figures relating to exports of produce and merchandise from the United Kingdom to Canada in the year before Preference was granted, the year 1909, and the year 1910, and the percentage increase from 1896 to 1910?
Mr. BUXTONThe official trade accounts of the United Kingdom show that the exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom to Canada in 684 the year 1896 were valued at £5,352,000; in 1909 at £15,688,000; and in 1910 at £19,683,000, or 268 per cent. more than in 1896. The hon. Member is doubtless aware that the imports into Canada from other sources than the United Kingdom show a very large expansion in the period in question.
§ Mr. CROFTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the opinion of the Board of Trade, this means that the increase of wages to British workmen due to the Preference was something like £7,000,000 a year?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what were the corresponding figures of the United States exports to Canada during the same period?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere must be notice of that question.
§ Mr. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the exports from the United Kingdom to Canada in 1910 had the advantage of the preferential tariff?
Mr. BUXTONThe Official Canadian Trade Accounts show that of a total sum of £19,600,000, the value of the imports for consumption into Canada from the United Kingdom in the year ended 31st March, 1910, goods to the value of £13,415,000, or 68 per cent. of the whole, enjoyed the advantages of the British preference. Two-thirds of the balance consisted of goods which are free of duty on importation into Canada from whatever source derived.