30. Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the National Council of the pottery industry, namely, that a strong protest be made to the Board of Trade against its refusal to supply reliable statistics and information as to the quantity and description of pottery of foreign manufacture imported into this country in the Board's monthly and annual statements of trade; and whether he will give instructions that the classification suggested by the Pottery National Council shall be adopted in future import and export statistics issued by the Board?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMy attention has been called to the resolution passed by the National Council of the Pottery Industry on the subject of the classification of imports and exports of pottery. Several of the recommendations were adopted; for others a more detailed classification has been substituted; and the remainder have been combined into convenient classes. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the particulars required to be furnished regarding imports and exports are not always supplied by persons technically qualified to distinguish between closely related classes of goods, but by merchants and agents who, moreover, are frequently not furnished by their principals with detailed information regarding mixed consignments. In all cases, consequently, the requirements of the Board of Trade have to be restricted to those particulars which experience has shown can be furnished with reasonable accuracy, even when a different classification might appear, theoretically, more desirable. As at present advised, I am not disposed to adopt the proposal in the last part of the question, and I must protest against the suggestion that the Board has refused to supply reliable statistics and information.