HC Deb 03 November 1930 vol 244 cc436-7
5. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the figures of our import and export trade with India for each month since March to date, and the corresponding figures for last year?

9. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for India the latest figures available showing the reduction in British imports and exports to and from India?

Mr. BENN

I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. WELLOCK

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been an improvement or does the decline continue?

Mr. BENN

I am giving the figures of imports month by month. Some months show improvement, but most months show a decline.

Earl WINTERTON

Will it be possible to give a return which will show the total increase or decrease in exports to foreign countries?

Mr. BENN

If the Noble Lord will put a question on the point, I shall be glad to answer it.

Following is the statement:

Complete figures showing the trade beween India and this country are only compiled quarterly. For the first two quarters of the year, the declared value of the total imports into the United Kingdom from India was £14,001,000, and £9,576,000 as compared with £16,350,000 and £11,719,000 in the corresponding quarters of 1929, and the declared value of the exports to India of United Kingdom produce and manufactures was;£19,176,00 and:£13,512,000 in the first and second quarters of this year as compared with £22,000,000 and £18,380,000 a year earlier. The figures for the third quarter of the year will be published shortly, and I will furnish them to my hon. Friend as soon as they are available. Figures are available monthly, which cover commodities representing about 70 per cent. of the total volume of trade, and these figures are given below

Months. Total Imports. Exports of United Kingdom Produce and Manufactures.
1930. 1929. 1930. 1929.
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
March … … … … … 2,261 2,973 4,607 4,995
April … … … … … 1,930 2,472 3,482 5,318
May … … … … … 2,359 2,262 3,372 4,236
June … … … … … 1,891 2,172 2,115 3,003
July … … … … … 2,398 2,284 2,720 4,611
August … … … … … 3,720 3,702 2,027 4,714
September … … … … … 3,890 4,353 1,491 3,728