§ 4. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any figures showing the reduction of British imports and exports to and from India this year?
§ Mr. BENNThe latest complete figures available are those for the three months January to March, 1930. These show a reduction of 14 per cent. in the value of imports from India into the United Kingdom and a reduction of 13 per cent. in the value of exports from the United Kingdom to India as compared with the corresponding three months of 1929. Figures are available up to the end of May which cover commodities representing about 70 per cent. of the total volume of trade. On these figures there is for 768 the three months March to May, 1930, a reduction of 14 per cent. in imports from India and a reduction of 21 per cent. in exports to India as compared with the corresponding three months of 1929.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWhile it may be the case that the fall in the exports to India is caused by other reasons, is it not the case that, imports into this country from India have declined in proportion to the imports into other countries of Europe from India during the same period?
§ Mr. BENNThat may be so, but I would like to look at the figures again before giving a precise answer.
§ Sir W. LANE MITCHELLIs it not a question of the depreciation of values?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIn view of the condition of unemployment in this country, is it not desirable to reach some settlement with the Indian people which would enable us to trade with them to a larger extent?
Earl WINTERTONThe right hon. Gentleman does not imply, by his reply to the hon. Member for East Leyton (Mr. Brockway), that this decline in trade is wholly or primarily due to political conditions? Is it not also due to world trade depression?