§ 25. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give comparative figures showing the rubber production of the British Empire and of foreign countries, respectively, in 1927 and 1921?
§ Mr. AMERYAs the answer contains a number of figures, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should explain that while I have endeavoured to furnish myself with the most exact 25 figures obtainable on this subject, they are to some extent based on estimate, and I cannot guarantee strict accuracy.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKCould the right hon. Gentleman give us some approximate figures of the proportions?
§ Mr. AMERYThere has been a considerable growth in the production of rubber outside the British Empire.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The following are the figures to the nearest 1,000 tons:
| Year | British Empire. | Foreign Countries. | Total. | |
| 1921 | … | 203,000 | 97,000 | 300,000 |
| 1927 | … | 344,000(restricted) | 258,000 | 604,000 |
§ Some allowance has been made for rubber smuggled in 1927 and for impurities in native rubber. No allowance has been made for impurities in wild rubber. Production by British companies in foreign countries is included under Foreign Countries.