HC Deb 15 March 1960 vol 619 cc1109-10
34. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the decision no longer to publish in the Commonwealth and Sterling Area Statistical Abstract detailed tables showing the trade of individual countries analysed by direction and by commodities, in view of the fact that the Direction of International Trade Statistics, published by the United Nations, gives them only in United States dollars and the Year Book of International Trade Statistics is not as up to date as the Statistical Abstract.

Mr. Erroll

No, Sir. We should not be justified in devoting our limited statistical resources to publishing information which is available elsewhere.

Mr. Russell

Is my hon. Friend aware that this information is not available until later than it used to be when it was published in the "Statistical Abstract"? Can he tell us the extra cost of providing it?

Mr. Erroll

I could not give the extra cost without having notice of that question. I am aware that there is delay this year in the provision of part of the information by the United Nations services concerned, but I do not think there will be in future.