HC Deb 16 May 1938 vol 336 cc10-1
55. Mr. Robert Gibson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount in quantity and value of the exports of cotton and other (specifying particulars) exports from Great Britain to British West Africa during each of the last three years and for the current year to date; what steps the Government intend to take to deal with the situation; and whether he has any further statement to make on the subject?

Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

With the hon. and learned Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the particulars asked for in the first part of the question. As the hon. and learned Member will be aware, by the beginning of 1938 there had been a serious fall in produce prices which inevitably curtailed the import trade. In addition, there was the dispute between the producers and the buyers of cocoa in the Gold Coast. This dispute

Table showing particulars of the exports of United Kingdom goods consigned to British West Africa during the undermentioned periods, distinguishing the principal commodities.
United Kingdom exports consigned to British West Africa. Unit of quantity. 1935. 1936. 1937. Jan.-Mar., 1938.
Quantity. Declared value. Quantity. Declared value. Quantity. Declared value. Quantity. Declared value.
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Total … — 9,300 — 11,393 — 14,255 — 2,052
Of which Tobacco … — 275 — 348 — 410 — 77
Iron and steel and m a n u factures thereof. Ton 43,035 761 53,597 961 68,092 1,554 12,617 315
Machinery Ton 6,975 672 6,808 775 10,098 1,085 2,551 300
Cotton piece goods Th. sq. yds. 164,387 3,397 198,799 4,212 178,022 4,422 11,691 305
Other cotton goods … — 286 — 281 — 382 — 29
Manufactures of textile materials other than cotton, wool or silk. … — 252 — 361 — 535 — 58
Chemicals, drugs, dyes and colours. … — 477 — 557 — 633 — 115
Vehicles (including locomotives, ships and aircraft). … — 551 — 673 — 1,016 — 148
Note.—The 1937 and 938 figures are provisional.
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