§ 14. Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the balance of trade in manufactures between this country and foreign countries in 1927 and 1928, respectively, excluding re-exports; what were the similar figures for our trade with the Empire; and what proportion of the imports of foreign manufactures were subject to a duty where there was no corresponding Excise Duty?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)During the year 1927, the exports of United Kingdom goods classed as wholly or mainly manufactured, consigned to foreign countries, amounted to £288,300,000, the retained imports of the same classes of goods consigned from foreign countries were £269,200,000, and the excess of exports over imports was thus £19,100,000. For the same year, the corresponding figures for the trade in manufactured goods with British countries overseas are: exports, £275,600,000; retained imports £28,200,000; giving an excess of exports over imports of £247,400,000. The above figures are exclusive of manufactured food, drink and tobacco. Similar data are not yet available in respect of the year 1928. The declared value of the imports of goods wholly or mainly manufactured subject to Customs Duties (excluding goods subject to the Silk and Artificial Silk Duties and to the duties on playing cards and matches), which were retained for consumption in the United Kingdom during 1927, and on which the full rate of duty was paid, was approximately £17,500,000, or about 6½ per cent. of the value of the retained imports in that year of manufactured goods consigned from foreign countries.