§ 42. Captain FULLERasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent our increased adverse balance of trade in 1931–32 was due to the importation of machinery and plant for the erection of new works in this country; to what extent our adverse balance of payments during this period has led to foreign investment in this country; and if the shrinkage of our income from over seas investment is in any way due to the drop which has occurred in foreign imports?
§ Dr. BURGINOmitting capital items, the excess of debits over credits in the balance of payments of this country was substantially less in 1932 than in 1931. I regret that no precise information is available on the points raised in the question.