25. Lieut.-Colonel Sir P. RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the amount of imports and exports between Mexico and Great Britain and the United States, respectively, in the years 1913, 1921, and 1922; and whether he is aware that there is a general consensus of opinion that recognition of the Government of Mexico would lead to an increase in British trade and to a diminution of unemployment in Great Britain?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAs the answer involves a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Lieut. - Colonel Sir J. NORTONGRIFFITHSWill the right hon. Gentleman confer with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to see whether recognition cannot be given to Mexico and thus encourage trade between this country and Mexico?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAs my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the whole Mexican position has been under consideration for some considerable time.
§ Following is the information promised:
§ The following statement shows the values of the trade of the United Kingdom and the United States, re- 218 spectively, with Mexico during the years specified.
| Year. | United Kingdom. | United States. |
| (1) Total Imports from Mexico. | ||
| £ | £ | |
| 1913 | 1,880,000* | 16,818,000† |
| 1921 | 9,859,000* | 30,968,000† |
| 1992 | 8,604,000*‡ | 30,147,000†‡ |
| (2) Total Exports to Mexico. | ||
| £ | £ | |
| 1913 | 2,498,000 | 9,888,000 |
| 1921 | 4,716,000 | 57,594,000 |
| 1922 | 2,301,000‡ | 24,812,000‡ |
| *Values as declared at the ports of the United Kingdom. | ||
| †Values as declared in Mexico United States currency converted to sterling at the average rates for the respective years. | ||
| ‡Provisional figures. |
§ The second part of the question deals with matters of opinion on which I am not prepared to pronounce.