HC Deb 20 March 1922 vol 152 cc2-5
4. Mr. HASLAM

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, in Dutch florins, the published value of imports from Germany into Holland of manufactured and partly manufactured goods for the years 1913, 1920, and 1921; the similar figures with regard to the same category of imports respectively into Switzerland, stated in Swiss francs; and for Denmark and Sweden, in kronen, for the years above mentioned?

Mr. BALDWIN

As the answer involves a statistical table, I will, with the permission of the House, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPOBT.

Following is the table:

Statement showing the value of Imports of Manufactured and Partly Manufactured Articles other than Food, into the Undermentioned Countries from Germany in each of the years 1913, 1920, and 1921 so far as information is available.
Countries. Unit of Currency 1913. 1920. 1921.
Netherlands … … Gulden (Florins) (a) 717,922,000 493,092,000(c)
Switzerland … … Francs. 353,268,000 558,366,000 (d)
Denmark … … Kroner. 171,506,000 441,675,000 (d)
Sweden … … Kronor. 170,913,000 240,065,000 (b) (d)
(a) In view of the difference between the basis on which the trade accounts of the Netherlands were prepared in 1913 and in and after 1917, the compilation of aggregates for 1913 covering the classes of articles specified in the question would not furnish figures comparable with those for 1920 and 1921 given in the table.
(b) Particulars for 1919. Details for later years are not yet available.
(c) Provisional figures. Full and complete details not yet available.
(d) Particulars for 1921 have not yet been received.
8. Mr. HANNON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value in pounds sterling of German imports and exports for each of the last six months, the value in sterling being calculated from the internal value of the mark in each of the months concerned?

Mr. BALDWIN

As the answer to this question involves a statistical statement, I will, with the permission of the House, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT

Month. Imports. Exports.
Thousand Marks (Paper). Thousand £ calculated at the average rates of current exchange. Thousand Marks (Paper). Thousand £ calculated at the average rates of current exchange.
1921.
August … 9,382,464 30,514 6,663,319 21,671
September … 9,883,669 25,759 7,492,452 19,527
October … 13,814,359 23,945 9,681,495 16,782
November … 12,272,582 12,033 11,886,308 11,654
December … 13,701,651 16,540 14,467,844 17,465
1922.
January … 1,12,634,242 15,621 14,393,796 17,796

The precise nature of the calculation indicated in the question is not clear. The following further statement shows, however, the official index number of wholesale prices in Germany and the approximate results of converting the values of imports and exports into sterling at rates proportionate to those index numbers, the index number of 100 being

The following is statement promised:

The following statement shows the value of the imports into and exports from Germany in each of the six months, August, 1921, to January, 1922, as officially reported in terms of paper marks, and at the sterling equivalent of those values calculated at the average rates quoted for Berlin-London exchange in the several months:

taken to correspond with the pre-War average rate of exchange. The general index number of prices in Germany is calculated from the price variations of a limited and selected group of commodities and is unlikely to represent accurately the price variations of the aggregates of commodities imported or exported.

Month. Official Index Number of Wholesale price (Average for 1913=100.) Sterling values calculated at rates of exchange proportionate to the Official Index Numbers.
Imports. Exports.
1921. Million £ Million £
August … … 1,917 24.0 17.0
September … … 2,067 23.4 17.7
October … … 2,460 27.5 19.3
November … … 3,416 17.6 17.0
December … … 3,487 19.2 20.3
1922.
January … … 3,665 16.9 19.2
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