§ 2. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a statement showing the benefits derived by Great Britain from the operation of Empire preference between this country and each Dominion, Colony, and dependency, respectively?
Mr. WILLIAMSI would point out that it is not possible to assess these benefits directly in terms of pounds, shillings and pence. I will, however, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in 1689 the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures giving certain particulars in respect of the Dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa for the year 1925, which is the latest year for which the information is available.
Figures showing the amount of the preferential rebates in the case of imports from the United Kingdom into Colonies and Protectorates during 1926 were given in an answer by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the hon. Member for the Eastern division of Hull on 25th July last.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Member say in his general reply whether the benefits conferred on British trade by Imperial preference have been very substantial?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERWill the hon. Member also circulate a return showing the benefits conferred by this country on the Dominions, including indirect as well as direct preference.
§ Following is the Table of figures:
§ The following Table shows in respect of the specified Dominions, for the year 1925 (the latest year for which complete particulars have been estimated for each country), the approximate value of the imports from the United Kingdom of goods subject to preference and the aggregate amount of the rebate on the duties chargeable on like imports from foreign countries:
| Dominion. | Approximate value of Imports from the United Kingdom which were subject to Preference. | Aggregate amount of Preferential Rebate. |
| £ | £ | |
| Canada | 23,150,000 | 2,470,000 |
| Australia | 63,850,000 | 7,800,000 |
| New Zealand | 20,600,000 | 2,860,000 |
| Union of South Africa. | 8,850,000 | 375,000 |