§ 25. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the statement embodied in the recent Report on the economic situation in Italy that the position of the United Kingdom in the import trade of that country has fallen to fourth place in 1928 in contrast with second place in 1925; and if he will state the causes which have brought about the change?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)I have been asked to reply. The fall to fourth place in the United Kingdom share of the Italian import trade is attributable in large measure to the heavy decrease in the value per ton of imported coal. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, coal forms by far the largest item in Italian imports from this country. The quantity imported from the United Kingdom was in 1928 only 4½ per cent. below 1925, but the value had fallen by nearly 40 per cent.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that that shows the folly of the general strike and the coal dispute?