HC Deb 06 February 1934 vol 285 c949
22. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated change in the retained imports of manufactured goods into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1933, as compared with the retained imports into the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in 1923 revalued in terms of the average prices of 1933?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As stated in the answer given to my hon. Friend on the 29th January, the volume of retained imports during 1933 of all articles wholly or mainly manufactured was 12.4 per cent. less than in 1924. This comparison was made on the basis of prices of the year 1930. I regret that a similar comparison with 1923, on the basis of prices in the year 1933, is impracticable, for reasons which I am communicating to my hon. Friend.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Board of Trade are unable to carry out calculations which were communicated to the Balfour Committee in 1925?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

When my hon. Friend has seen my letter he will see good reasons for the view that I have expressed.