§ 69. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state, for the year 1936, or for the latest year for which the statistics are available, the value of the goods imported, subject to duty and duty free, respectively, from foreign and Empire countries, respectively?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleThe total values of the goods imported from British and foreign countries respectively for the last three calendar years are given on pages 183 and 189 of the Monthly Accounts of Trade for January last, the (provisional) figures for 1936 being £332,579,860 and £516,356,035. I regret that no records are available in which these figures are sub-divided in the way my hon. Friend desires.
§ Mr. WilliamsAre we to take it from the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's reply that His Majesty's Government do not know the value of the goods which were imported from the British Empire and on which no duty was paid?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleMy hon. Friend is, I know, familiar with the trade returns, but I suggest to him that he might study the pages to which I have referred. If he wishes, I am prepared to discuss the matter with him, but as the statistics stand, I cannot give him the information for which he asks in the form which he desires.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I have already studied those statistics and that they do not contain the information which I am seeking? That is why I put the question.