CENSUS OF PRODUCTION.

HC Deb 03 June 1930 vol 239 cc1940-1

24. Major NATHAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the present position as regards the census of production?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I anticipate that the first of the volumes of the Final Report on the Third Census, covering the textile trades, will be issued in from two to three weeks from the present time. The volumes dealing with other groups of trades are being prepared with the greatest possible speed, and I hope that no unforeseen circumstances will delay their preparation and issue.

Major NATHAN

In view of the remarkably adverse change in circumstances since the census was set on foot, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the immediate setting up of a further census of production at the same time as the population census of 1931?

Mr. GRAHAM

Preparations are now in hand for the census covering 1930, and I have already sanctioned much more than the preliminary efforts in that matter.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Do we understand that this production of the Government is out of date before it is issued?

Mr. GRAHAM

No, that would be a very erroneous assumption. On the other hand, very careful analysis is necessary in order that the volume may not be open to the charge of inaccuracy in a matter which is most important to our trade.