§ 1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would publish a statement giving a complete list of all existing import restrictions?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Auckland Geddes)A complete list of existing import restrictions was given in the statement issued by the Board of Trade for publication in the Press on the 23rd August, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend. The list has not been altered in any way since that date.
§ Sir S. HOAREWould it not be a good thing to publish this list as a White Paper, in view of the fact that the Press does not always publish the list which his Department sends out, and that, in consequence, the list has a very limited circulation?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe list has been published in the "Board of Trade Journal." If it were considered desirable, I should be happy to arrange for publication. The 3 substance of it will be embodied in the Schedule of a Bill which I hope to be able to introduce at an early date.
§ 8. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department could state whether British exports, including services rendered and interest receivable, were balancing British imports; and, if not, what was the difference between exports and imports for the present year?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIt is a matter of extreme difficulty to get figures which can be relied on implicitly. According to the best estimates available, however, British exports, including services rendered and interest receivable, are not balancing this year's British imports. It is important to remember that the amount of our imports is at present increased by the re-establishment of stocks of industrial raw materials which were depleted during the War. I hope to toe able to make a further statement on this subject at an early date.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONIn making that calculation is the right hon. Gentleman including freights earned by British shipping?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThat is implied in the answer to the question.