§ 65. Sir W. HOWELL DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade if various trade associations obtain from the authorities at the Custom House unpublished particulars relating to foreign trade; on what basis the charge made for the information supplied is computed; and if, in spite of the reduction in the civil servants' bonus, no reduction has yet been made in that charge?
Mr. YOUNGI have been asked to reply. Information of general interest is published in the statistics of trade, but trade associations and other parties requiring more detailed information of sectional interest are required to pay for it through the Customs Bill of Entry. The fee charged covers the cost of preparation at a flat rate per hour of the time occupied, and it is not yet possible to reduce it.