§ 17. Mr. MACLEANasked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of flour, stated in number of sacks, arriving coastwise in Glasgow from Liverpool in each of the following years, 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI regret that the desired information is not available.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that the number of sacks carried by coastwise steamers from Liverpool to Glasgow is noted, and that the number unloaded in Glasgow is also noted. Could not some method be devised for securing this information?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am advised that the Customs do not compile these statistics.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that there has been a large increase in the number of sacks sent from Liverpool to Glasgow, and cannot the hon. and gallant Member get the information from people in the trade?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have seen Press statements to the effect that there has been an increase, but the Customs advise me that they have no official figures.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the Customs the only source from which the hon. and gallant Member receives figures?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe only official source.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not the case that foreign imports of flour are responsible for the closing of these mills, and should not an import duty be imposed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI understand that the Import Duties Advisory Committee considered the matter a short time ago.