§ 83. Mr. Shinwellasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports in 1936 from the United Kingdom to all countries with which we have concluded trade agreements, and the figures for 1930?
§ Mr. RuncimanExports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures to foreign countries with which trade agreements have been concluded amounted to £170,500,000 in 1930, and to £119,000,000 in 1936. I would point out, however, that as the trade agreements in question were concluded from 1933 onwards, a comparison of 1936 with 1930 cannot be taken as affording any indication of their effectiveness. United Kingdom exports to the countries with which agreements were made prior to 1936 increased from £93,500,000 in 1932 to £113,000,000 41 1936, an increase of nearly 21 per cent.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs it not a fact that the value of these exports is far less than the value of the imports, and will my right hon. Friend take some steps to bridge the gap?