HC Deb 15 March 1938 vol 333 cc182-3
10. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of yards of cotton piece goods exported in January, 1937, and January, 1936, and figures of exports to British West Africa in the same month?

Mr. Stanley

The hon. Member will find the desired information on page 118 of the issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for January last.

Mr. Burke

Is it not a fact that the figures for 1937 and 1938 reveal a falling off in trade both as regards cotton piece goods as a whole and particularly as regards the West African trade?

Mr. Stanley

They would reveal a very much greater falling off than the figures for the two years for which the hon. Member has asked. I think he will find in the same place figures for this year which will reveal a very great falling off.

Mr. Burke

Is it not a fact that in regard to the West African trade the figures of imports show a decline from 17,000 to 5,000 square yards and will he therefore take steps to stop the activities of the pool of cocoa buyers which are the cause of this decline.