§ 17. Mr. PHILIP OLIVERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking any and, if so, what steps to carry out the recommendation contained in paragraph 417 of the Macmillan Report, that the figures of the trade balance of this country, published by the Board, should be placed on a more exact basis?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERInquiries are now being made with, a view to securing as much information as is immediately available regarding the balance of trade, and careful consideration will be given, as soon as circumstances permit, to the more detailed recommendations of the Macmillan Committee.
§ Mr. McSHANECan the right hon. Gentleman make a statement now as to when he is likely to be in a position to make a report of the decision to the House?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not sure that I follow the hon. Gentleman. This is a question which asks whether certain recommendations of the Macmillan Committee are being carried out. We are engaged at the moment in getting the most detailed and accurate information that we can. The Macmillan Committee made certain recommendations about detailed statistics of acceptances and so on of foreign issues and sinking funds being made available in this country. It will he very desirable that this information should be available for one's calculations, and as soon as we have collected the information, we want to go on and see what we can do.
§ Mr. MARLEYWhat, in the opinion of the Government, would be the effect of every country securing a favourable balance of trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat is a very hypothetical question.