4. Major Sir CLIVE MORRISONBELLasked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of variation in the value and volume of the imports of German goods into this country since the reduction of the reparation recovery tax from 26 per cent. to 5 per cent., basing 188 such comparison on the corresponding figures for each of the six preceding periods of similar length?
Mr. WEBBThe particulars asked for are not yet available; and I am afraid that, even to the extent in which, in a few months, they become available, the circumstances are such that no accurate conclusions could be drawn from the calculations, which would involve so considerable a labour, that the expense would not be justified.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHIs there not any way by which these figures can be given to the House so that we may judge as to whether the Government are right or wrong?
Mr. WEBBAll possible figures will be given, if asked for, as soon as they are available; but the time is still recent, since the change, to make the figures the basis of calculations. There is the further difficulty that a large part of the goods consist of articles, toys and so on, of which the volume cannot be given, and the values are necessarily not an accurate guide.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman try to ascertain the number of people who have been thrown out of employment because of the reduction these duties?