§ 32. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the total amount of imports and exports for the period of 12 months ended the first week of February of the current year to and from those countries with which this country has an adverse balance of trade; and the amount of the adverse balance with each country concerned?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe aggregate value of the import and export trade in merchandise with individual countries is compiled for calendar years and quarterly periods only. The particulars for 1931 are recorded on pages 121 to 131 of the issue for January last of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," to which I would refer the hon. Member.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes that return show the exports and imports in the case of Russia? If so, can the hon. Gentleman state from memory whether there is a big adverse balance in the case of other countries far in excess of that in the case of Russia?
§ Mr. COLVILLEI suggest that the hon. Member adopt the recommendation in the answer that I have given, that is to study the returns, where he will be able to get the information required.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANIs it not the case that yesterday a very long question was put to the President of the Board of Trade asking for a considerable amount of information with regard to various articles brought into this country and exported to other countries? Why is one Member able to get information supplied, though it will lead to considerable expense, while another Member is referred to the reports of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. COLVILLEIt was an entirely different question. The information which the hon. Member opposite has asked for is contained in the returns up to the end of the year.
§ Mr. MACLEANSo was the other information, in the Statistical Abstracts.