§ 16 and 17. Mr. Russellasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of United Kingdom Class II imports, namely, raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured, came from Empire countries in 1931, 1938. 1945 and 1949;
(2) what percentage of United Kingdom. Class I imports, namely, food, drink and tobacco, came from Empire countries in 1931, 1938, 1945 and 1949.
Mr. H. WilsonThe percentages of the value of total Class 1 imports into the United Kingdom from the Commonwealth as defined for statistical purpose in the years in question were as follow:' 38 per cent., 49 per cent., 58 per cent., 50 per cent., respectively. Corresponding percentages for Class II imports were: 34, 42, 54, 51.
The figures for 1931, 1938 and 1945 include the Irish Republic, Burma and Palestine, which are excluded in 1949.
§ Mr. RussellDo not these figures show that the percentage improved steadily from 1931 to 1945, after which it has decreased? How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his answer with the statement he made in the House last week, when he said that the Conservative Party had talked about developing Imperial trade, whereas this Government had developed it? Does he not consider that the figures show that the reverse is the case?
Mr. WilsonIf the hon. Gentleman will study the statement I made last week, he will see the justification for that remark. The statement which he made just now represents one of the worst misuses of statistics that I have ever known, because he must surely be well aware of the fact that in 1945 we were cut off from practically all our traditional sources of supply of food and raw materials in Europe, and also in South-East Asia. It was, therefore, perfectly natural that Commonwealth supplies should show an abnormally larger proportion in 1945.