19. Lieut-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imports to and exports from this country, respectively, during the nine months ended 30th September, 1919, and the same particulars for the nine months to 30th September, 1920?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe total values of the imports into and the exports and re-exports from the United Kingdom registered during the nine months ended 30th September, 1919 and 1920, respectively, were as follows: Imports for 1919, £1,166,000,000; for 1920, £1,501,000,000 Exports for 1919, £541,000,000; for 1920, £1,007,000,000. Re-exports for 1919, £98,000,000; for 1920, £180,000,000.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the values of to-day were those of 1913 imports and exports would be much lower than they are at present?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is quite a proper observation. You cannot really compare the money prices of to-day with the money prices of an earlier period or before the War; but if you take 1920 as compared with 1919 a far less allowance has to be made obviously.