§ 41. Mr. GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports of box and willow calf from the 1st November up to the latest date available consigned from France; and what was the percentage increase in these figures in comparison with the same period in 1930?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANParticulars of the imports into the United Kingdom of box and willow calf dressed upper leather consigned from France are published monthly in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" and the figures for the month of November, 1930 and 1931, will be contained in the next issue to be published on the 11th December.
§ Mr. GIBSONHas the right hon. Gentleman the figures of the most recent date in November?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Member will look at the accounts of trade and navigation for the month, he will find all the information lie requires.
§ 42. Mr. GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of chrome-tanned hide upper leather from Germany and Holland from 1st September to the latest date available, and the imports for similar periods for 1929 and 1930?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe total imports into the United Kingdom of chrome-tanned dressed upper leather registered during the period from 1st September to 31st October, 1931, as consigned from Germany and the Netherlands amounted to 5,744 cwts., valued at £103,691, and 3,017 cwts., valued at £94,652, respectively. During the corresponding period of 1930 the imports from Germany were 1,779 cwts., valued at £41,460 and from the Netherlands 646 cwts., valued at £17,011. Similar particulars for 1929 are not available as the imports of chrome-tanned leather were not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom prior to 1930.
§ Mr. GIBSONIs not this a clear case of abnormal importation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, but it is also a clear case of a raw material.