HC Deb 29 November 1937 vol 329 cc1682-3
76. Mr. Batey

asked the President of the Board of Trade the profits of all gas undertakings in Great Britain for the years 1935 and 1936?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Euan Wallace)

The information for 1936 is not yet available, but, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures in respect of 1935.

Following are the figures:

commercial intelligence most difficult to acquire. No figures of Ethiopian trade have been issued since the Italian occupation. Such information as I possess tends to show that while trade between this country and Ethiopia is almost nonexistent at present, some United Kingdom firms are considering the possibility of securing in the future a share of such trade as may be available.

Mr. Bellenger

Have we any commercial representative in that country?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir. We have consular representatives there.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that the country is still unsettled in spite of Italian control?

Mr. Thurtle

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his information that British trade has almost ceased to exist in Abyssinia will give great satisfaction to the supporters of Mussolini who will be found in this House?

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